Module 6 : Competition and Predation

Question 1

What is the difference between interspecific and intraspecific competition?

Answer 1

interspecific-occurs between different species

intraspecific-occurs between organisms of the same species

Question 2

Both types of competition lead to what?

1 sentence

Answer 2

a reduction in access to essential resources ( food , mates , shelter) which in turn limits growth , reproduction and eventually population size

Question 3

Make 3 points explaining the competitive exclusion principle
(interspecific competition)

Answer 3

-when 2 species compete for the same limited resources , the species that uses the resources more efficiently with eventually outcompete the other
-the more efficiently adapted species uses the resources , preventing others from doing so
-over time the less competitive species may reduce and eventually become locally extinct

Question 4

Intraspecific competition results in what?

Answer 4

natural population fluctuations

Question 5

Make 3 points about natural population fluctuations

Answer 5

-when resources are plentiful , survival and reproduction increases so causes an increase in population size
-too many individuals causes more competition as reduces available resources , causing size to decrease
-a decrease in competition allows greater access to resources so populations can recover , restarting the cycle

Question 6

What is predation?

Answer 6

the hunting and consumption of one species by another species

Question 7

Make 4 points describing predator-prey relationships

Answer 7

1) an increase in prey population provides more food for predators , increasing predator population
2)a rise in predator population causes more predation on prey which decreases prey population
3)lack of prey increases competition between predators so predator population declines
4)decrease in predator population allows prey to survive and reproduce successfully , restoring prey population size