Density-dependent and independent factors MCQs

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman Shamil | Last updated: September 12, 2024

1. What is a “density-dependent factor”?
a) A factor that influences population size regardless of population density
b) A factor that impacts population growth in relation to population density
c) A factor that only affects small populations
d) A factor that affects only the reproduction rate of a population
Answer: b) A factor that impacts population growth in relation to population density

2. Which of the following is an example of a density-dependent factor?
a) Natural disasters
b) Disease spread within a population
c) Temperature extremes
d) Seasonal changes in climate
Answer: b) Disease spread within a population

3. What is a “density-independent factor”?
a) A factor that regulates population growth based on the size of the population
b) A factor that affects population size irrespective of population density
c) A factor that only impacts populations with high densities
d) A factor that changes with the population size over time
Answer: b) A factor that affects population size irrespective of population density

4. Which of the following is a typical density-independent factor?
a) Competition for resources
b) Predation rates
c) Weather conditions (e.g., droughts, floods)
d) Territorial disputes
Answer: c) Weather conditions (e.g., droughts, floods)

5. How does “competition for resources” function as a density-dependent factor?
a) It increases as the population density decreases
b) It decreases as population density increases
c) It becomes more intense as population density increases
d) It has no effect on population size
Answer: c) It becomes more intense as population density increases

6. What is the effect of “predation” as a density-dependent factor on a population?
a) It decreases the population size when predator numbers increase relative to prey density
b) It has no impact on the population size
c) It increases prey population size when prey density is low
d) It affects prey populations independently of prey density
Answer: a) It decreases the population size when predator numbers increase relative to prey density

7. Which of the following factors would most likely be considered density-independent?
a) Immigration and emigration
b) Availability of food resources
c) Habitat destruction due to human activity
d) Reproductive success rates
Answer: c) Habitat destruction due to human activity

8. In what type of environment would density-independent factors have the greatest impact on population size?
a) Stable environments with constant resource availability
b) Environments with high and fluctuating population densities
c) Environments with low population densities
d) Environments with high competition and limited resources
Answer: b) Environments with high and fluctuating population densities

9. How do “natural disasters” affect population regulation?
a) They are density-dependent factors that affect population growth based on density
b) They have no effect on population size
c) They are density-independent factors that can cause significant declines in population size
d) They only affect populations with high density
Answer: c) They are density-independent factors that can cause significant declines in population size

10. Which factor is most likely to cause “density-dependent” population regulation in a species?
a) A sudden increase in temperature
b) The introduction of a new predator
c) A significant increase in rainfall
d) An outbreak of a disease
Answer: d) An outbreak of a disease

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