Biology Essentials- r and K Selection Guided Viewing
1: What is “r” stand for?
"r" = growth rate
2: What happens if we have a positive “r”?
A positive "r" would mean exponential growth.
3: What is “N”?
"N" would equal the number of the species in a population.
4: What is “K”?
"K" is the carrying capacity of the population.
5: Explain the survivorship curve. (Give an example for each)
TYPE I: The species will survive more likely early on.
ex:humans
TYPE II: Die off at a linear rate.
ex:song birds
TYPE III: Many die in the beginning but will level off as time goes on.
ex: frogs
6: How does the environment affect the survivorship curve?
Depend on how stable an environment is, the curve will differ. The higher the stability, the higher the survival chance.
7: What are “r” selected species? Explain characteristics of these species.
A species that base their life on the growth rate.
8: What are “K” selected species? Explain characteristics of these species
A species based off the carrying capacity. They want to live long
"r" = growth rate
2: What happens if we have a positive “r”?
A positive "r" would mean exponential growth.
3: What is “N”?
"N" would equal the number of the species in a population.
4: What is “K”?
"K" is the carrying capacity of the population.
5: Explain the survivorship curve. (Give an example for each)
TYPE I: The species will survive more likely early on.
ex:humans
TYPE II: Die off at a linear rate.
ex:song birds
TYPE III: Many die in the beginning but will level off as time goes on.
ex: frogs
6: How does the environment affect the survivorship curve?
Depend on how stable an environment is, the curve will differ. The higher the stability, the higher the survival chance.
7: What are “r” selected species? Explain characteristics of these species.
A species that base their life on the growth rate.
- unstable environment
- high fecundity
- small body size
- early maturity short generation time
- dispersed offspring
8: What are “K” selected species? Explain characteristics of these species
A species based off the carrying capacity. They want to live long
- stable environment
- large body size
- long life life expectancy
- high parental care
- few offspring