KEY Unit 6 Study Guide History of Human Population Growth

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to the history and implications of human population growth.

Exponential Growth

A type of growth where the population increases rapidly and continuously without leveling off.

Agricultural Revolution

A historical event that introduced farming and livestock, leading to an increase in food supply and population growth.

Industrial Revolution

A period of significant technological advancement that improved medicine, sanitation, and lowered death rates, leading to increased life expectancy.

Birth Rate

The rate at which new births occur in a population.

Life Expectancy

The average number of years an individual is expected to live based on demographic factors.

Fertility Rate

The average number of children each woman in a population has.

Replacement Fertility

The number of children each woman needs to have for the population to remain stable.

Age Structure

The distribution of people in a population categorized by age groups.

Sex Ratio

The ratio of males to females in a population.

Demographer

An expert who studies human population statistics.

Rule of 70

A method to estimate the number of years required for a population to double by dividing 70 by the growth rate.

Developing Nation

A country with low income, lower standard of living, and generally higher fertility and mortality rates.

Developed Nation

A country with high income, higher standard of living, and generally lower fertility and mortality rates.

Demographic Transition Model

A model that describes the stages a country goes through as it transitions from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates.

Population Growth

The increase in the number of individuals in a population over time.

Immigration

The movement of individuals into a population from another area.

Emigration

The movement of individuals out of a population to another area.

Zero Population Growth (ZPG)

A state where the birth rate plus immigration equals the death rate plus emigration, resulting in a stable population size.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population size of a biological species that can be sustained indefinitely by a given environment, given the available resources.

Population Pyramid

A graphical illustration that shows the distribution of various age groups in a human population and is typically used to represent the age structure of a country.

What are the four stages of the demographic transition model in order?

1. Pre-Industrial Stage 2. Transitional Stage 3. Industrial Stage 4. Post-Industrial Stage