Tag: human population

Questions Related to human population

Population ecology is an important area because it (i) ecology to population genetics and (ii) identify (i) and (ii) in the above statement and select the correct option.
                                                       

  1. distinguishes evolution

  2. distinguishes biogenesis

  3. links evolution

  4. links biogenesis


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Population ecology is the sub field of ecology that deals with the dynamics of species populations and how these populations interact with the environment. It is an important area because it links the ecology to population genetics and responsible for evolution. 

So, the correct option is 'Option C' .

The principle of competitive exclusion was enunciated by

  1. Verhulst and Pearl

  2. C. Darwin

  3. G.F. Gause

  4. MacArthur.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The principle of competitive exclusion is also called as Gause's Competitive Exclusion principle which states that two closely related species competing for the same resource can not co-exist indefinitely and the competitively inferior one will be eliminated eventually and this was given by G.F. Gause. So the correct option is "G.F. Gause"

Difference between population and community is

  1. Population is the grouping of individuals of same species at the same place.

  2. Community is the grouping of individuals of same species at the same place same time.

  3. Population is the grouping of individuals of different species at the different place.

  4. Community is the grouping of individuals of different species at the same place at a same time.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

A population may be defined as a group of individuals belonging to a single species. The units of study are populations. Study of interaction between individuals in terms of growth, reproduction, dispersal etc., constitutes population ecology. 

A community may be defined as populations of different species living together in a common habitat. The members of a community may be plants as well as animals. 
Thus, the correct answer is option D.

In modern civilised world, greatest predator of man is

  1. Wild dog

  2. Tiger

  3. Man

  4. Vultures


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

In modern civilised world, the greatest predator of man is man. Man indulges itself in the activities like deforestation which creates disbalance in nature and generates threats. The population explosion, global warming and floods are the other natural process which disturbs the equilibrium.

The Allee effect is described by

  1. Population growth increases as population density increases, below a certain density.

  2. Population growth increases as population density increases, above a certain density.

  3. Population growth decreases as population density increases, above a certain density.

  4. Population growth increases as population density increases, causing density to then decrease.

  5. Population growth decreases as population density increases, causing density to then decrease.


Correct Option: C

Refer to the table below containing data obtained for a rabbit population over a period of several years.

Year Number of rabbits
1 4
2 17
3 62
4 245


Ultimately, the amount of nutrients and other resources would become limiting. What would happen to the rabbit population at that time?

  1. It would reach the carrying capacity of the environment.

  2. It would continue to grow indefinitely.

  3. It would engage in intraspecific competition.

  4. Both A and B.

  5. Both A and C.


Correct Option: E
Explanation:

If the nutrients and other resources are limited they will limit the population size and it will reach the "carrying capacity" of the environment and rabbits will compete with one another (intraspecific competition) for these limited nutrients. Therefore, the correct answer is option E.

A biological community can be best described by

  1. A group of individuals of the same species that live together in the same area at the same time

  2. All populations of different species that live and interact in the same area

  3. All populations of different species that live and interact in the same area and the abiotic environment

  4. The part of earth where life exists

  5. A group of organisms that share similar ecological niches in different areas


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The population is individuals of same species that occupy a specific area. The ecosystem is an assemblage of different species of an area and abiotic factors of a geographical area and also takes account of the interaction between them. The part of the earth where life exists is referred to as biosphere. A group of organisms that share similar ecological niches in different areas constitute species. The community is a group of populations of different species living together in a habitat and interacting with each other. Thus, the correct answer is B.

Two populations of a species of pine tree are located on opposite sides of a mountain range. The two populations are genetically similar to each other.
An invasive beetle infestation kills 80% of the trees on the west side of the range. The beetle population does not spread to the eastern side of the range, and the east tree population does not experience any beetle related loss. After the infestation, the western tree population increases in size again.
What is the expected outcome of genetic testing comparing the two populations?

  1. The genetic diversity of the west population is higher than the east population.

  2. The phenotypic variation of the west population is higher than the east population.

  3. The two populations are less genetically similar than they were prior to the beetle infestation.

  4. The two populations remain genetically similar.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Due to beetle infestation, 80% of the trees on the west side of the range were killed. This will result in the alteration of allele frequencies. Certain alleles are lost during infestation. In the small population of the west side, genetic diversity is less compared to that of a large population in the east. Due to less genetic diversity, phenotypic variations will also be lower on the west side. Hence, the two side of populations will be less genetically similar than the earlier. 

Thus, the correct answer is 'The two populations are less genetically similar than they were prior to the beetle infestation.'

For natural selection to occur, which of the following must be true for a population of organisms?

  1. Phenotypic variations must be based on genetic variations rather than on varying environmental conditions.

  2. The population must be occupying the same niche as another local population.

  3. Organisms in the population must be capable of sexual reproduction.

  4. Food resources must be limited.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Evolution takes place due to various reasons like natural selection, mutation, genetic drift. Phenotypic variations must be based on genetic variations rather than on varying environmental conditions. Sexual reproduction results in the genetic variation but does not affect the natural selection. Also, limited food resources may drive natural selection but is not the reason for natural selection to occur.

Thus, the correct answer is 'Phenotypic variations must be based on genetic variations rather than on varying environmental conditions.'

A population is made up of

  1. All individuals of any kind

  2. All groups of organisms in an area at any one time

  3. Groups of individuals of different kinds in an area

  4. Individuals of the same kind in an area at a given time


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

A population is all the organisms of the same group or species, which live in a particular geographical area, and have the capability of interbreeding. They are capable of interbreeding or reproduction.

So the correct option is 'individuals of the same kind in an area at a given time'.