Biology 2011 JAMB Past Questions - Question 38: Which of the following groups of environmental factors are density-dependent?

Correct Answer

A

Explanation

. Density dependentfactors are factors whose effect on thepopulation depends on population size that is greater the size of the population the more theeffect of the factor. . The effects of the factors on population depend on whetherthe population is large orsmaii. Avery large population generates a lot ofmetabolic wastes and increase in the number of predators. It also promotes faster spread of diseases and shortage offood. The salinity of an aquatic environment depends the amount of dissolvedminerals that are carried into it by flood and not on the population of piantsand animals living in the water.Thus salinity, iight etc are density independent factors.These are factors that can destroy large number of organisms in a populationirrespective of whether the population is large or small.