| A | B |
|---|
| population density | number of individuals per unit area |
| commensalism | relationship where neither species is harmed |
| bacteria | has the highest reproductive potential |
| biotic potential | fastest rate at which a population can grow |
| generation time | average time it takes a member of the population to reach the age at which it reproduces |
| territory | an area defended by one or more individuals |
| population's dispersion | described as even, clumped, or random |
| reproductive potential | maximum number of offspring that each member of a population can produce |
| carrying capacity | maximum population that the ecosystem can support indefinately |
| niche | specie's physical home, the environmental factors necessary for that species' survival, and all its interactions with other organisms |
| symbiosis | relationship in which two organisms live in close association |
| coevolution | two species can develop adaptations that increase the benefit of their relationship over a long period of time |
| negative growth rate | when death rate is higher than the birth rate |
| positive growth rate | when the death rate is lower than the birth rate |
| limiting resource | a resource in a given area that determines the ecosystem's carrying capacity for a species |
| Density dependent factors | limitations of population size that depends on the population, example: limited resources, predation, and disease |
| Density independent factors | cause of death regardless of population density, examples: natural resources adn severe weather |
| habitat | location a species lives in |
| competition | different individuals or populations attempt to use same limited resources |
| indirect competition | two species use the same food source, one during the day and the other at night |
| predation | organism that feeds on another organism |
| prey | organism being fed upon |
| predator | organism feeding on another organism |
| parasitism | organism that lives in or on another organism and causes it harm |
| mutualism | close relationship between two species in which both benefit |
