Human Population Growth

Flashcards about human population growth, covering factors affecting population size, growth phases, constraints, and specific effects of human population growth.

What is a population?

A population is composed of all the members of the same species living together in the same place.

What four factors does the rate at which a population grows depend on?

The birth rate, the death rate, the rate of immigration, and the rate of emigration.

What are the phases of a sigmoid growth curve?

Lag phase, exponential growth phase (or log phase), diminishing growth phase, and stationary phase.

What is carrying capacity?

The maximum population size that can be sustained over a period of time by the environment.

Give examples of factors that increase population size.

Plenty of suitable space, good food and water supply, few predators, ability to avoid predators, ability to resist disease, and suitable abiotic conditions.

Give examples of factors that decrease population size.

Limited space, poor food and water supply, many predators, inability to avoid predators, susceptibility to disease, and unsuitable abiotic conditions.

What phase is the human population currently in?

The log phase (rapid growth).

What are constraints to the human population?

Limited food resources, poisonous wastes/pollution, competition for space, spread of diseases, and limited natural resources.

How have humans overcome constraints to population growth?

Developed equipment to inhabit most places, practice agriculture, study diseases, invented gunpowder, and improved utilities.

What is the greatest controlling factor on human mortality?

Disease.

What are some specific effects of human population growth?

Deforestation, soil erosion, depletion of natural resources, pollution, industrialization, and disruption of food chains.