Organisms and Populations 365

11
Unit - X : Ecology and Environment

Organisms and Populations

C h apter

Topic covered
11.1. Populations

Ecology
• Ecology is the branch of science that studies the reciprocal relationships between organisms and their physical and
biological environment.
• Ecology is basically concerned with four levels of biological organisation, i.e. organisms, populations, communities and
biomes.
11.1.1. Population Attributes
– Population ecology is an important area of ecology because it links ecology with population genetics and evolution;
natural selection operates at the level of population.
– A population has certain attributes that an individual organism does not have; they are:
(i) Birth rate (ii) Death rate
(iii) Sex ratio (iv) Age ratio
– The three ecological age groups are:
(i) Pre-reproductive
  (ii) Reproductive
(iii) Post-reproductive
– If the age distribution, i.e. number of individuals in the different age groups of a population is plotted, an age-pyramid
results.
– For human population, the age-pyramids show the age distribution of males and females in a combined diagram.
– The shape of the pyramids reflects the growth status of the population, i.e.
(i) an expanding/growing population
(ii) a stable population
(iii) a declining population
Post-reproductive

Reproductive

Pre-reproductive
(a) Expanding (b) Stable (c) Declining
Fig. 11.1 Representation of age pyramids for human population

11.1.2. Population Growth
– The density of a population in a given habitat during a given period changes due to four basic processes, namely:
(i) Natality, (ii) Mortality, (iii) Immigration and (iv) Emigration.
366 Together with® Biology—12
Immigration
(I)

+ Population –
Natality Mortality
Density
(B) (D)
(N)

Emigration
(E)

– While natality and immigration contribute to an increase in the size and density of a population, mortality and emigration
contribute to a decrease in them.
– So the equation for population growth is:
Nt+1 = Nt + [(B + I) – (D + E)],
where Nt = population density at time t, B = birth rate, I = immigration, D = death rate, E = emigration.
– If B + I is more than D + E, the population density increases.
– If B + I is less than D + E, the population density decreases.
(a) Population Growth Models
– There are two models of population growth:
(i) Exponential Growth Model
⇒ When the resource availability is unlimited in the habitat, the population grows in an exponential or
geometric fashion.
⇒ The equation is: dN/dt = (b – d) × N
⇒ Let (b – d) = r, then the equation is, dN/dt = rN.
⇒ r in the equation is called the intrinsic rate of natural increase and is an important parameter to assess
the impacts of biotic or abiotic factors on the growth of the population.
⇒ When a population shows exponential growth, the curve plotted with N in relation to time assumes
J shape.
⇒ The exponential growth equation becomes dN
Population density (N)

= rN
Nt = N0ert, where Ka dt
Nt = population density after time t
N0 = population density at time 0      (beginning) dN K –N
= rN ; E
r = intrinsic rate of natural increase b dt K
e = the base of natural logarithm      (2.71828)
(ii) Logistic Growth Model Time (t)
⇒ It is described by the equation, Fig. 11.2 Population Growth Curves
K−N
dN/dt = rN f p , where
K
N = Population density at time t.
r = Intrinsic rate of natural increase.
K = Carrying capacity.
⇒ This growth model is more realistic in nature because no population can sustain exponential growth
indefinitely, as there will be completion for the basic needs.
11.1.3. Life History Variation
– Evolution of populations aims at improving the reproductive fitness or Darwinian fitness to the maximum in their habitats.
– They evolve towards the most efficient reproductive strategy.
– According to ecologists, life history traits of an organism have evolved in relation to the constraints imposed by the
biotic and abiotic factors in their habitats.
 Organisms and Populations 367
11.1.4. Population Interactions
– Living organisms cannot live in isolation and they do interact in various ways to form biological communities.
– Interspecific interactions are those interactions of individuals or populations of two different species.
– Such interactions are of the following types:
(i) Beneficial to both as in mutualism.
(ii) Beneficial to one and harmful/detrimental to the other as in parasitism and predation.
(iii) Beneficial to one and neutral (neither beneficial nor harmful) to the other as in commensalism.
(iv) Detrimental to both as in competition.
(v) Detrimental to one and neutral to the other as in Amensalism.
– The following table shows the population interactions:
Name of Interaction Species A Species B
(i) Mutualism + +
(ii) Predation + –
(iii) Parasitism + –
(iv) Commensalism + 0
(v) Competition – –
(vi) Amensalism – 0
+ indicates beneficial/positive effect.
– indicates detrimental/negative effect.
0 indicates neutral/no effect on the species.

(a) (i) and (ii) (b) (i) and (iv)

Multiple Choice (c) (ii) and (iii) (d) (ii) and (iv)
Questions 1 Mark 5. A tight one-to-one relationship between many
species of fig tree and certain wasps is an example
1. Important attributes belonging to a population, but
of  [Delhi 2023]
not to an individual are:
(a) commensalism. (b) parasitism
(i) Birth rate and death rate
(c) amensalism. (d) mutualism
(ii) male and female
(iii) Birth and death 6. In an expanding or growing population of a country
(iv) Sex ratio (a) pre-reproductive individuals are more than the
Select the correct option from the given options. reproductive individuals.
 [Delhi 2023] (b) reproductive individuals are less than the post-
(a) (i) only (b) (ii) only reproductive individuals.
(c) (ii) and (iii) (d) (i) and (iv) (c) pre-reproductive individuals are less than the
reproductive individuals.
2. Interaction between clown fish living among the
(d) reproductive and pre-reproductive individuals are
stinging tentacles of sea anemone is an example of
equal in number.
 [Delhi 2023]
7. Other than exactly counting the organisms,
(a) amensalism (b) parasitism
population density can be estimated in terms of
(c) mutualism (d) commensalism
(a) per cent cover in large trees with an expanded
3. Identifiy the option that does not exhibit a parasitic canopy
relationship.  [AI 2023] (b) biomass, in large plants
(a) head lice in humans (b) cuscuta on a mango tree (c) number caught per trap for fishes.
(c) female Anopheles (d) ticks on dogs (d) all of these

4. Examples that show commensalism are 8. A biologist studied the population of rats in a barn.
(i) An orchid growing on a mango tree He found that the average natality was 130, average
(ii) Cuckoo bird and crow mortality 120, immigration 20 and emigration 30.
(iii) Cuscuta growing on Nerium plant The net increase in the rat population mentioned
(iv) Barnacles growing on a whale [AI 2023] above is
368 Together with® Biology—12
(a) 20 (b) 10 (a) commensalism (b) competition
(c) 5 (d) Zero (c) predation (d) amensalism
9. If a new habitat is being colonized, out of the four 17. Many copedods live on the body surface of marine
processes affecting population growth, which one fish. This is an example of
contributes the most? (a) commensalism (b) parasitism
(a) Immigration (b) Natality (c) amensalism (d) mutualism
(c) Emigration (d) Mortality
18. The mediterranean orchid, Ophrys employs (1) ,
10. Swathi was growing a bacterial colony in a culture and it is a case of (2)
flask under ideal laboratory conditions where the (a) 1. sexual deceit, 2. commensalism
resources are replenished. Which of the following (b) 1. sexual deceit, 2. amensalism
equations will represent the growth in this case? (c) 1. wasps, 2. commensalism
(Where population size is N, birth rate is b, death (d) 1. sexual deceit, 2. mutualism
rate is d, unit time period is t, and carrying capacity
is K). [CBSE Sample Paper 2023] 19. Which of the following interaction(s) will promote
(a) dN/dt = KN (b) dN/dt = rN co-evolution?
(c) dN/dt = rN(K – N/K) (d) dN/dt = rN(K + N/K) (a) Parasitism (b) Mutualism
(c) Competition (d) Both (a) and (b)
11. The formula of exponential population growth curve,
is
(a) dN/dt = rN (b) dt/dN = rN Answers
(c) dN/rN = dt (d) rN/dN = dt 
1. (d)
12. Asymptote in a logistic growth curve is obtained
2. (d) The clown fish is benefitted and the sea anamone
when
is neither benefitted nor harmed.
(a) the value of ‘r’ approaches zero
(b) the value of K is equal to N 3. (b) It shows commensalism
(c) the value of K is greater than N 4. (b)
(d) The value of K is less than N. 5. (d) Both the wasp species and fig tree are benefitted.
13. Which of the following is not a correct matching pair 6. (a) 7. (d)
of the given organism and the kind of interaction 8. (d) (B + I) – (D + E), i.e, (130 + 20) – (120 + 30)=0
shown by it? 9. (a) 10. (b) 11. (a)
(a) An orchid plant growing 12. (b)
on a mango tree – Parasitism 13. (a) It is commensalism, in which the orchid is
(b) Cuscuta plant growing on benefitted and the mango tree is neither benefitted
a hedge plant. – Parasitism nor harmed.
(c) A sparrow feeding on
14. (c) By certain behavioural modifications, the
some seeds. – Predation
competing species do co-exist.
(d) Rhizobium in the root
nodules of a legume plant – Mutualism 15. (a) 16. (d)
17. (b) Copepods are benefitted and the marine fish is
14. Inspite of interspecific competition in nature, which
harmed.
of the following mechanisms, the competing species
might have evolved for co-existence and survival? 18. (d) 19. (d)
(a) Competitive exclusion
(b) Competitive release V S A Very Short Answer
(c) Resource partitioning Type Questions 2 Marks
(d) Co-evolution
20. (a) Who is considered as the ‘Father of Ecology’
15. Sea Anemone gets attached to the surface of the
in India?
hermit crab. The kind of population interaction
(b) Why is population ecology considered an
exhibited in this case is [CBSE Sample Paper 2023]
important area of ecology?
(a) amensalism. (b) commensalism.
Ans. (a) Ramdeo Misra.
(c) mutualism. (d) parasitism.
(b) Population ecology is an important area of ecology,
16. If positive (+) sign is assigned to beneficial interaction, because it links ecology with population genetics
negative (–) sign to detrimental interaction and ‘O’ and evolution; natural selection operates at the level
sign to neutral interaction, then the population of population.
interaction represented by ‘O’ and ‘–ve’ sign refers to
 Organisms and Populations 369
21. Name the four levels of organisation that ecology is 27. As per a recent newspaper report, a particular
basically concerned with. country showed declining population growth rate.
Ans. (i) Organisms (ii) Populations According to you what could be the two most possible
(iii) Communities (iv) Biomes. reasons for the decline and why? [AI 2022]
22. Write the different age groups represented in an age Ans. – Mortality and emigration are the two causes for
pyramid. Mention the characteristic of a declining the decline in the population growth rate.
age pyramid. – Mortality refers to the number of deaths in a
Ans. – Pre-reproductive, reproductive and post- population during the given period of time.
reproductive age groups are represented in the age – Emigration is the number of individuals of the
pyramid. population, who left the population and had gone
– In the declining age pyramid, the number of elsewhere during the given period of time.
individuals in the pre-reproductive phase is less 28. Immigration
than that in the reproductive phase.
23.
B Population D A

Emigration
Observe the schematic representation given above
and answer the following questions:
(a) Identify A and B
Identify the type of pyramid given above. Write (b) Calculate the growth rate of bacteria in a curd
the identifying feature on the basis of which you sample, where 1 million bacteria increased to
identified it. [AI 2022] two million, within a period of one hour.
Ans. – It is an expanding age pyramid. [AI 2022]
– The number of individuals in the pre-productive age Ans. (a) – A - Mortality
group is more than that in the reproductive stage; – B - Natality
hence, the population will grow in size in the future. (b) The growth rate of bacteria is 1 million/hour.
24. Write the best method to measure the population 29. The graphs given below, A and B, represent popu-
density of a single banyan tree in comparison to 20 lations of elephants in two different National Parks
Parthenium weeds in a forest by an ecologist. Explain (a hypothetical situation) at different times.
and justify your answer. [Delhi 2022]
A
Ans. – Percent cover or biomass is a more meaningful 7000
Elephant topulation

measure of the population density of the single 6000

banyan tree.
– Stating that the population density of the banyan 4000
is low relative to that of Parthenium amounts to
underestimating the enormous role of the banyan 2000
tree in the community.
0
25. What would be the best method to measure the 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980
total population density of the number of fishes in
Year
a river and why? [Delhi 2022]
Ans. – The number of fish caught in a trap is a good B
measure of the population density in the river. 2000
Elephant population

– For certain ecological investigations, there is no 1500

need to know the absolute density of the population;
relative densities serve the purpose equally well. 1000
26. What would be the best method to measure the total
population density of a dense bacterial culture in a 500
petridish and why? [Delhi 2022]
Ans. – The population density can be measured by the 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
difference in the weight of the culture, i.e, the initial Year
weight and the weight after a specific interval.
– In this case, total number is not an easily adoptable Study the graphs and comment upon the pattern of
measure, as the population is so huge that counting growth observed. Mention the possible reason for
is impossible and very time-consuming. such patterns seen in nature. [AI 2022]
370 Together with® Biology—12
Ans. Graph A 32. (a) What term is given to the predators of plants.
– ThegrowthcurveisJ-shaped,i.e.,thereisexponential (b) Why do cattle and goats generally not browse
growth. on Calotropis plants growing in an abandoned
– Such a growth curve appears when the reasources field? Give any one reason. [CBSE 2021C]
are unlimited in the habitat. Ans. (a) Herbivores.
Group B (b) Calotropis plants produce highly toxic cardiac
– There is a decline in the population growth. glycosides; hence, the cattle avoid browsing them.
– The reasons can be mortality and emigration, both 33. (a) Write what the phytophagous insects feed on.
of which reduce the population size/density. (b) Why is the problem of predation in plants more
30. Study the graph given below, showing the population severe than that in animals? [HOTS]
growth curves 'A' and 'B' respectively. Answer the Ans. (a) Phytophagous insects feed on the sap and other
following questions: parts of the plants.
‘A’
(b) Problem of predation is severe for plants because
they cannot move away from their predators.
Carrying
Capacity 34. ‘Some species of insects and frogs have evolved
‘B’ various specific features that help them from being
detected’.
Population

(a) Justify the statement giving reasons.

(b) Mention any two such features. [Delhi 2023]
size

Ans. (a) The prey species have evolved various defenses

to lessen the impact of predation.
Time/Generation (b) (i) Cryptic colouration or camouflage
(a) What is 'Carrying Capacity' in respect of curve (ii) Some become poisonous and hence, are
'B' indicative of? avoided by their predators.
(b) Mention the action of possible natural forces (iii) Some insects like monarch butterfly become
that could have lead to curve 'B'. [AI 2022] highly distasteful to their predators. (any two)
Ans. (a) Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number 35. The histogram given below representing the data
of individuals of a species that a given habitat can for annual shark harvest in the great barrier reef/
support and beyond which no further growth is coral reef located on the east coast of Queensland,
possible. Australia. Study the histogram and answer the
(b) – The resources for the growth of population are questions that follow.
finite and become limiting sooner or later. 1200
– The competition among individuals of the
population must have led to the death of many 1000
and emigration of some. 800
Catch (tonnes)

– The phase of acceleration is followed by

deceleration and then asymptote, when the 600
population density reaches the carrying capacity. 400
31. Given below is an equation describing the growth
pattern of a population: 200
dN/dt = rN 0
(a) Mention the type of growth model or growth
1992
1993

1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999

2000
2001
2002
2003

pattern of the population described by the given

equation. Source: [Link]
(b) What does 'r' in the equation signify? (a) Write your interpretation of the data given.
(c) Mention the type of growth curve that will be (b) Write the impact on the biodiversity of the area
obtained if the population density (N) is plotted that you can interpret on the basis of given data.
against time (t). [AI 2022]
(d) According to you, will the resource availability Ans. (a) The annual shark harvest has been increasing over
be limited or unlimited for this type of growth the years.
in the given population? (CBSE 2022C) (b) Being a predator, its loss will lead to ecosystem
Ans. (a) Exponential growth pattern. instability, because
(b) 'r' represents the intrinsic rate of natural increase. (i) Predators help to maintain species diversity by
(c) J-shaped growth curve. reducing the intensity of competition among
(d) The resources will be unlimited. the competing prey species.
 Organisms and Populations 371
(ii) Predators keep a check on the prey populations, 40. (a) What is meant by ‘competitive release’?
which otherwise would achieve very high (b) Name the mechanism that promotes the
population densities to cause damage to the coexistence of competing species. Name the
ecosystem. scientist who showed this.
36. (a) When prickly pear cactus was introduced Ans. (a) Competitive release is a phenomenon in which a
into Australia in 1920s, it caused havoc and species whose distribution is restricted to a small
ecosystem instability by achieving very high geographical area because of the presence of a
population densities. Explain the reason for competitively superior species, is found to expand
its rapid spread into millions of hectares of drastically when the competing species is removed.
rangeland. (b) Resource partitioning; it was shown by Mac Arthur.
(b) State the importance of ‘Prey-Predator’ 41. (a) Write the observations made at the end of
relationship in a habitat. [AI 2022] Connell’s field experiment on barnacles on the
Ans. (a) It is due to the absence of its natural predator, a rocky sea coasts of Scotland.
moth. (b) Name any two categories of organisms that in
(b) (i) Predators act as conduits for energy transfer. general are adversely affected by competition.
(ii) Predators keep the prey population under  [Delhi 2022]
control. Ans. (a) It was observed that the competitively superior
(iii) They help in maintaining species diversity barnacle, Balanus dominates the area and excludes
in a community. the smaller barnacle, Chathamalus from that area.
37. Why are predators considered to be ‘prudent’ in (b) Plants and herbivores are adversely affected by
nature? [AI 2022] competition.
Ans. – If a predator is too efficient and overexploits its
42. What is resource partitioning? Give an example.
prey, the prey might become extinct sooner.
Ans. It is a mechanism evolved by competing species for
– Following it, the predator may also become
coexistence and avoid competition by changing their
extinct due to lack of food, hence, the predators
feeding time, foraging pattern and other behaviours.
are ‘prudent’ in nature.
e.g. MacArthur had shown that five different species of
38. Explain the defence mechanisms evolved in preys warblers competing for the same resources coexisted
to avoid overpopulation of their predators. in a tree by changing their foraging activities.
Ans. (i) Certain insect species and frogs have camouflage
43. How is predation different from competition?
(cryptic colouration) to avoid detection by their
predators. Ans. Predation Competition
(ii) Some animals are highly distasteful to their – It is an interspecific – It is the type of interaction
predators, e.g. monarch butterfly accumulates a interaction where either among the
one animal, called individuals of the same
chemical by feeding on a poisonous weed during
predator, kills and species or of different
its caterpillar stage. consumes the other species, which compete
(iii) Some prey species are poisonous and hence are animal, called prey. for food or shelter.
avoided by predators.
– One is benefitted and – Both the partners are
(iv) Plants have developed thorns and spines as defence the other is harmed. affected.
mechanism against browsing animals.
(v) Some plants produce certain chemicals which affect 44. List any four parasitic adaptations in a parasite.
the metabolism of the herbivores.  [Delhi 2014C]
Ans. (i) Loss of unnecessary sense organs.
39. ‘Abingdon tortoise in Galapagos islands became
(ii) Presence of hooks/adhesive organs and suckers.
extinct within a decade on introduction of goats in
(iii) Loss of digestive system.
the island. Explain giving reason. [Delhi 2023]
(iv) High reproductive capacity
Ans. – It is apparently due to the greater browsing efficiency
of the goat. 45. What are ectoparasites? Give two examples.
– It is called interference competition, in which the Ans. – Ectoparasites are those organisms which live on
feeding efficiency of one species is reduced due to the surface of the body of the host and derive
the interfering and inhibitory presence of the other. nutrition from the host.
372 Together with® Biology—12
– Examples include – The Rhizobium bacterium that makes mutualistic
(i) Copepods infesting marine fish association with the leguminous roots is commercially
(ii) Ticks on dogs cultured and used in the field to make association
(iii) Lice on humans (any two) with the roots of legumes.
46. Name and explain the interaction that is seen – Glomus, a genus of fungus makes symbiotic
association (mycorrhizae) with roots of higher
between clown fish and sea anemone. [AI 2019]
plants; it helps in absorption of phosphorus and other
Ans. – This relationship is called commensalism, as one of
essential nutrients from the soil.
the partners (clown fish) is benefitted and the other
48. How is commensalism different from predation,
(sea anemone) is neither benefitted nor harmed.
though one of the partners is benefitted in each of
– The sea anemone has stinging tentacles and the
them?
clown fish gets protection from its predators which
stay away from the stinging tentacles; sea anemone Ans. Commensalism Predation
does not derive any benefit from this interaction.
– It is an interspecific – It is an interspecific
47. What is mutualism? Mention any two examples, interaction in which interaction in which
where the organisms involved are commercially one of the species the large animal, called
exploited in agriculture. [AI 2015] is benefitted and predator, kills and
Or the other is neither consumes the smaller
Explain mutualism with the help of an example. benefitted and harmed. animal, called prey.
 [Delhi 2014C] – No species is harmed. – One species is harmed.
Ans. – Mutualism is the interspecific interaction in
which both the partner species are mutually – It is not a conduit for – It is a conduit for
benefitted. energy transfer. energy transfer.
49. The figures given below show the results of a lab experiment in which two microbial species A and B belonging
to same genus were grown in three petri dishes having same culture medium. In Petri dish-I, Species-A was
grown alone for 8 weeks. In Petri dish-II, Species-B was grown alone for 8 weeks. In Petri dish-III, both the
species were grown together with the same number as Petri dish-I and Petri dish-II for 8 weeks.
Petri dish-I Petri dish-II Petri dish-III
Sp. A grown alone Sp. B grown alone Sp. A and B grown together
200 200 200
No. of individuals

No. of individuals

No. of individuals

Sp. A Sp. A Sp. A

100 100 100 Sp. B

0 0 0
0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8
Time (in weeks) Time (in weeks) Time (in weeks)
What conclusion will you draw from the graphs in terms of impact of interaction on growth? Explain, giving
reason. [AI 2022]
Ans. – The growth rate of both Species A and Species B has increased.
– It indicates that both the species are mutually benefitted by the presence of the other species.
– This phenomenon is called mutualism, an interspecific interaction, where both the partner species are equally
benefitted in the association.
50. With the decline in the population of fig species, it – In the absence of fig species, the wasp species loses
was noticed that the population of wasp species also the place for oviposition and the food for the larvae;
started to decline. What is the relationship between hence, their number decreases.
the two and what could be the possible reason for 51. Explain the pollination mechanism involved in co-
decline of wasps? [CBSE Sample Paper 2022] evolution of the two species, namely Ophrys (orchid)
Ans. – The relationship between the fig species and the wasp and its insect pollinator bees (and bumble bees).
species is mutualism, i.e., both are benefitted.  [CBSE 2022C]
– The wasp species uses the ovary of the fig flowers Ans. – The orchid, Ophrys employs employs ‘sexual deceit’
as the site for oviposition and the emerging larvae to get pollinated by a bee species.
feed on the developing seeds.
 Organisms and Populations 373
– In the flowers of Ophrys, one petal resembles the become dusted on the body of the bee.
female of a bee species in size, colour, markings, etc. – When the bee is attracted to another flower of this
– The male bee perceives it as a female and pseudo- orchid species, the process is repeated and the pollen
copulates with it. grains from the body of the bee get dusted on the
– During the process, the pollen grains from the anthers stigma, i.e. pollination is achieved.

A Short Answer
S Type Questions 3 Marks
52. Study the age pyramids ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ of human population given below and answer the questions that follow:
Post reproductive

Reproductive

Pre-reproductive
A B C
(a) Identify the pyramids ‘B’ and ‘C’.
(b) Write the basis on which the above pyramids are plotted. [AI 2020]
Ans. (a) B – Stable, C – Declining.
(b) The age pyramids are plotted based on the age distribution (per cent individuals of a given age or age group of a
population) at a given time; for human population, the age pyramids show age distribution of males and females
in a combined diagram.

53. (a) List any three ways of measuring population 55. Study the schematic representation given below and
density of a habitat. answer the following questions:
(b) Mention the essential information that can be
C
obtained by studying the population density of
an organism. +
Ans. (a) (i) Per cent cover for trees with a large canopy. +
Population
–
A Density B
(ii) Number caught per trap for fishes.
(N)
(iii) Pug marks or faecal pellets for tiger census.
–
(b) The population density tells us about the status
of a population of a species, i.e. the outcome of D
competition, impact of predation, or effect of (a) Identify A in it.
pesticides, etc. (b) Identify D in it.
54. “The population of a metro city experiences (c) When the population density at time ‘t’ is N as
fluctuations in its population density over a period shown above, write the population density at
of time”. time ‘t’ + 1 in the form of an equation, using
(a) When does the population in a metro city tend appropriate symbols. [AI 2020]
Ans. (a) A is natality
to increase?
(b) D is emigration
(b) When does the population in metro city tend to
(c) N(t + 1) = Nt + [(B + I) – (D + E)]
decline?
(c) If ‘N’ is the population density at the time ‘t’, 56. Study the population growth curve given below and
answer the questions that follow:
write the population density at the time ‘t + 1’.
 [Delhi 2020]
Ans. (a) The population tends to increase when natality
Population density

(number of births, B) and immigration (number of K A

individuals coming into the population, I) increase.
(b) The population tends to decrease when mortality B
(number of deaths, D) and emigration (number of
individuals leaving the population, E). decrease.
(c) Nt + 1 = Nt + [(B + I) – (D + E)]
Time (t)
374 Together with® Biology—12
(a) Identify ‘A’ and ‘B’ shown in the graph. (ii) Some breed many times during their life time,
(b) When and why do such curves occur in a eg. mammals and birds
population? [CBSE 2020] (iii) Some produce large number of small-sized
Ans. (a) A – Exponential growth curve. offspring, eg. pelagic fishes and oysters.
B – Logistic growth curve (iv) Some produce a small number of large-sized
(b) – Exponential growth curve occurs when the offspring, eg. mammals.
resources in the habitat are unlimited and 59. Predation is usually referred to as a detrimental
the species realises the full potential of association. State any three positive roles that a
reproduction.
predator plays in an ecosystem. [AI 2016]
– Logistic growth curve occurs if the resources
Or
are limiting in the habitat; such a population
Why is predation important and required in a
shows initially a lag phase, followed by phases
community with rich biodiversity? Explain with
of acceleration, deceleration and finally an
the help of suitable examples. [AI 2015C]
asymptote, when the population density
Or
reaches carrying capacity.
What is ‘predation’? Explain with the help of
57. Study the graph given below and answer the suitable examples, why it is required in a community
questions that follow: with rich biodiversity. [AI 2015C]
Ans. Predation is the interspecific interaction in which a large
animal, called predator, kills and consumes a smaller
Population density (N)

animal, called prey.

a
Role of predators in a community
(i) Predators act as conduits for energy transfer across
b trophic levels.
– They transfer the energy fixed by the plants to
higher trophic levels.
(ii) They help in maintaining species diversity by
reducing the intensity of competition among the
TIME (t)
prey species.
(i) Write the status of food and space in the curves
– In the rocky intertidal zones of the American
(a) and (b).
Pacific Coast, the starfish Pisaster is a predator.
(ii) In the absence of predators, which one of the
– In a field experiment, when all the starfish were
two curves would appropriately depict the prey
removed from an enclosed area, more than ten
population?
species of invertebrates became extinct within
(iii) Time has been shown on X-axis and there
is a parallel dotted line above it. Give the a year, due to interspecific competition.
significance of this dotted line. [Delhi 2014]
(iii) They keep the prey population under control and
Ans. (i) The food resources are unlimited in curve ‘a’ and thereby prevent the ecosystem instability.
limited in curve ‘b’. – A cactus introduced into Australia in 1920s
(ii) Curve ‘a’. caused havoc by spreading rapidly into millions
(iii) The dotted line represents the carrying capacity. of hectares of the land.
Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number – Later, this was brought under control by
of individuals (or size of a population) that a given introducing a cactus-feeding moth (a predator)
environment can support, beyond which further from its natural habitat.
growth is not possible. 60. Explain with the help of two examples, how certain
58. Why have organisms evolved life history variations? plants have evolved morphological and chemical
Substantiate your answer with any four different defenses against primary consumers such as cows
types of such variations. and goats. [AI 2017C]
Ans. – Organisms have evolved life history variations to Ans. (i) Thorns and spines are the most common
maximise their reproductive/Darwinian fitness in morphological means of defence.
the habitat in which they live. e.g. spines of Acacia and cacti.
– The variations are evolved in relation to the (ii) Many plants produce and store chemicals, which
constraints imposed by the abiotic and biotic when consumed by the herbivores make them sick,
components of the habitat. inhibit digestion, disrupt reproduction or even kill
Following are the different strategies: them.
(i) Some organisms breed only once in their life e.g. Calotropis produces highly poisonous cardiac
time, eg. bamboo and Pacific salmon fish glycosides.
 Organisms and Populations 375
61. It is generally believed that competition occurs only – This is true not only when the resources are
when closely related species compete for the same limiting but also when resources are abundant.
resources that are limiting. Give two examples to – For example, the Abingdon tortoise in Galapagos
show that the above statement is not always true. Islands became extinct within a decade after the
Ans. (i) Competition can occur between two unrelated goats were introduced into the Island.
species, when they compete for the same resource, – It is probably due to the greater browsing
[Link] efficiency of the goat or the feeding efficiency of
fishes for zooplanktons in some shallow lakes in one species (tortoise) is reduced by the interfering
South America.
presence of the other species (goat).
(ii) Resources need not be limiting; in interference
competition, the feeding efficiency of one species 63. Explain brood parasitism with the help of an
might be reduced due to the interfering and inhibitory example. [Delhi 2016C, 2013C]
presence of the other species, e.g. the abingdon Ans. – Brood parasitism refers to the phenomenon in which
tortoise became extinct within a decade after goats a (parasitic) bird species lays its eggs in the nest of
were introduced into Galapagos Islands. another (host) bird species and lets the host incubate
62. Explain Gause’s Competitive Exclusion Principle them.
with the help of a suitable example. [AI 2016C] – The eggs of the parasitic bird must have evolved
Ans. – Gause’s Competitive Exclusion Principle states resemblance to the eggs of the host in size and colour
that two closely related species competing for the to reduce the chances of the host bird detecting the
same resources cannot co-exist indefinitely and foreign eggs and ejecting them from the nest, e.g.
the competitively inferior one will be eliminated the cuckoo lays its eggs in the nest of a crow.
eventually.
64. Differentiate between ectoparasites and endopara-sites, along with an example of each.
Ans. Ectoparasites Endoparasites
– These are the organisms, which live on the surface of – These are the organisms, which live inside the body of
the body of the host and derive nutrition from the host. host in different organs and derive nutrition from the
eg. ticks on dogs, lice on humans host.
eg. tapeworm and roundworm in humans.
65. Differentiate between parasitism and competition, giving one example of each. State the common characteristics
they share. [Foreign 2015]
Ans. Parasitism Competition
– It is the interspecific interaction in which one species, – Competition is a type of interaction either among
called parasite takes food and shelter from another the individuals of the same species (intraspecific) or
living organism, called host and in due course of time, between individuals of different species (interspecific)
damages or kills the host. for the basic needs.
e.g. Cuscuta living on a shoe-flower bush. e.g. flamingoes and fishes competing for the same food
(zooplanktons) in a lake.
– One is benefitted and the other is damaged/killed. – Though detrimental to both, competitively superior one
is benefitted.
66. It is observed that plant-animal interactions often involve co-evolution. Explain with the help of a suitable
example. [CBSE 2019C]
Or
Coevolution is a spectacular example of mutualism between an animal and a plant. Describe coevolution with
the help of an example. [Foreign 2016]
Ans. – Coevolution of the mutualists is exemplified in case of flowers of fig and the pollinator wasp species.
– A given species of fig inflorescence is pollinated only by a specific wasp species; the evolution of the flower and that
of the pollinator species (wasp) are tightly linked to each other.
– The wasp pollinates the fig inflorescence while scarching for a suitable place for oviposition; it lays its eggs in the
ovary of fig flowers.
– As the eggs develop into larvae, they use some of the developing seeds of the fruit as their food.
– Thus, in the interaction, the fig is pollinated and in return the fig offers some of its developing seeds as food to the
larvae of wasp; hence both are mutually benefitted.
– One of the species is benefitted
376 Together with® Biology—12
67. Study the table showing the population interaction between species ‘Z’ and ‘Y’, respectively. Assign the appropriate
‘+’/‘–’ signs for ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘D’, ‘E’ and respective interactions for ‘C’ and ‘F’.
Species ‘Z’ Species ‘Y’ Name of Interaction
‘A’ ‘B’ Mutualism
— — ‘C’
‘D’ ‘E’ Parasitism
+ O ‘F’
 [AI 2020]
Ans. ‘A’ – + ‘B’ – + ‘D’ – +
‘E’ – + ‘C’ – Competition ‘F’ – Commensalism
68. Explain the differences between commensalism and mutualism types of interactions, with the help of a suitable
example of each. [AI 2020]
Ans. Commensalism Mutualism
– It is an interspecific interaction, in which one of – It is an interspecific interaction, in which both the
the species is benefitted and the other is neither partner species are benefitted.
benefitted nor harmed.
e.g. In the association between an orchid plant e.g. In the association between Rhizobium bacterium
growing on a mango tree, the orchid plant gets and leguminous plants, the bacterium fixes atmospheric
shelter on the mango tree, but the mango tree is nitrogen and makes it available to the leguminous
neither benefitted nor harmed. plants; in return, it gets food and shelter from the root.
69. Highlight the differences and a similarity between the following population interactions: Competition, predation
and commensalism. [Foreign 2017]
Ans. Differences
– Competition is defined as the process in which the fitness of one species, measured in terms of its intrinsic rate of
increase (‘r’) is lowered by the presence of another species; in this, the interaction can prove to be detrimental to both.
– Predation is the interspecific interaction in which the stronger animal (predator) kills and eats the weaker one (prey);
it is beneficial for one and detrimental to the other.
– Commensalism is the interspecific interaction in which one of the species is benefitted and the other is neither benefitted
nor harmed.
Similarity
– The interacting species live closely together in the above population interactions.
– One of the species is benefitted.
70. Highlight the differences between the population interactions given below. Give an example of each.
• Parasitism • Amensalism • Mutualism [Foreign 2017]
Ans. Parasitism Amensalism Mutualism
– It is the interspecific interaction – It is the interspecific interaction in – It is the interspecific
in which one species, called which one species is harmed and interaction, in which both
parasite takes shelter and food the other is neither benefitted nor the interacting species are
from another living organism, harmed, i.e. neutral. benefitted.
called host and in due course of
time, damages or kills the host.
– One of the partners is benefitted. – None of the partners is benefitted. – Both the partners are
e.g. Cuscuta living on the hedge e.g. Antibiotics secreted by certain benefitted.
plants. fungi kill some bacteria in the e.g. Mycorrhizae (fungi and
vicinity. roots of higher plants.)

A Long Answer with specific reference to fluctuations in the

L Type Questions 5 Marks population density of a region in a given period
of time. [Delhi 2019]
71. (a) What is “population” according to you as a Ans. (a) In ecology, population is defined as a group of
biology student? individuals of the same species, occupying the
(b) “The size of a population for any species is same area at a given time.
not a static parameter.” Justify the statement
 Organisms and Populations 377
(b) The density of a population in a given region at a (ii) stable – if the number of individuals in the
given period of time fluctuates due to changes in pre-reproductive stage is equal to that in
four basic processes, given below: the reproductive stage, the population will
(i) Natality refers to the number of births during remain stable.
a given period; this increases the population (iii) declining – if the number of individuals in
density. the pre-reproductive stage is less than that in
(ii) Mortality refers to the number of deaths in the reproductive stage, the population size will
population in a given time; this decreases the decrease.
population density. Refer to Fig 11.1 (a), (b) and (c) in the text.
(iii) Immigration refers to the number of individuals – The policy-makers can plan according to the growth
status of the population.
of the same species that have come into the
habitate from elsewhere during the given 73. (a) Name the two growth models that represent
period of time; it adds to the population density. population growth and draw the respective
(iv) Emigration refers to the number of individuals growth curves they represent.
of the population who left the habitat and gone (b) State the basis for the difference in the shape of
elsewhere during the given period of time; it these curves.
(c) Which one of the curves represents the human
decreases the population density.
population growth at present? Do you think
72. (a) What is an age pyramid? such a curve is sustainable? Give reason in
(b) Name three representative kinds of age- support of your answer. [AI 2016]
pyramids for human population and list the Ans. (a) The two growth models of population growth are:
characteristics for each one of them. [Delhi 2017] (i) Exponential growth model and
Or (ii) Logistic growth model.
(a) Represent diagrammatically three kinds of age
Population density (N) → a (Exponential growth curve)
pyramids for human populations. K
(b) How does an age pyramid for human population
at a given point of time helps the policy-makers
in planning for future. [Delhi 2016] b (Logistic growth curve)
Ans. (a) An age pyramid is a graphic representation of the
number of individuals in the different age groups
of a population, at a given time. Time (t) →
(b) The shape of the pyramid reflects the growth status (b) Resource availability forms the basis for the
of the population, i.e., whether it is difference in the shape of these curves.
(i) expanding – when the number of individuals (c) – Curve a represents the growth of human
in the pre-reproductive stage is more than population at present.
that in reproductive stage, the population – The curve cannot be sustained, because sooner
will be expanding in size. or later, the resources become limiting.

Practice questions
74. Which of the following statements is correct about (b) high death rate
exponential growth model? (c) high ‘r’ value
(a) It occurs when resources are unlimited (d) low birth rate
(b) Population seldom grows beyond carrying capacity 77. Differentiate between population size and population
(c) A stationary phase is reached density.
(d) It has four phases-lag, exponential, decelerating
78. What is ecology? Who is considered the father of
and asymptote
Ecology in India?
75. dN/dt = rN represents
79. Draw labelled diagrams of stable and declining age
(a) carrying capacity
pyramids of human population. [AI 2015C]
(b) logistic growth
(c) exponential growth 80. (a) How will you measure the population density of
(d) sigmoid growth curve fish in a lake?
(b) In a pond, there are 100 frogs. 20 more were born
76. The population which has evolved to have maximum
in a year. Calculate the birth rate of this population.
reproductive or Darwinian fitness, will have a
 [AI 2019]
(a) low ‘r’ value
378 Together with® Biology—12

Assertion and reason questions

Instruction: Following questions consists of two statements Reason: In exponential growth, a steady phase is
– Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Answer these questions by seldom reached.
selecting the appropriate option given below: 86. Assertion: The female mosquito is not considered a
(a) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the parasite, even though it needs our blood for reproduction.
correct explanation of assertion.
Reason: It is considered a commensal.
(b) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is not the
correct explanation of assertion. 87. Assertion: In Galapagos Islands, the Abingdon tortoise
(c) Assertion is true but reason is false. became extinct within a decade after goats were
(d) Assertion is False but reason is true. introduced into the island.
81. Assertion: Darwin showed how even a slow-growing Reason: Competition is the process in which the fitness
animal like an elephant could reach enormous numbers. of the species is significantly reduced in the presence of
Reason: When resources in the habitat are unlimited, another species.
each species has the ability to realise its innate potential 88. Assertion: The interaction between a whale and
fully. [AI 2023] the small barnacles on its back, is considered as
82. Assertion: Any population growing exponentially in commensalism.
habitats with unlimited resources, can reach enormous Reason: In the above association, neither of the species
population densities in a very short period. is benefitted.
Reason: The growth curve of such a population is 89. Assertion: The recent studies show that Gause’s
sigmoid. Competitive Exclusion Principle cannot hold good
83. Assertion: Verhulst Pearl logistic growth model is always.
considered a more realistic one. Reason: The different species living in a habitat may
Reason: Any population growing exponentially under show ‘resource partitioning’.
unlimited resource conditions, can reach enormous 90. Assertion: Mycorrhizae represent mutualism, an
population densities in a very short period.
interspecific interaction between certain fungi and the
84. Assertion: When the resources are unlimited in the roots of higher plants.
habitat, any species has the ability to realise fully its Reason: The above interaction confers benefits to both
innate potential to reproduce. fungi and higher plants.
Reason: The population of such species shows a
sigmoid growth curve. 91. Assertion: The Mediterranean Orchid, Ophrys uses
sexual deceit to get pollinated by a species of bee.
85. Assertion: Exponential growth results in a J-shaped
Reason: The female changes its colour depending on
curve, when we plot population density as a function of
the temperature of that area. [AI 2023]
time.

Case-based Questions
92. We have been concerned about the unbridled human (a) Identify the type of growth curves ‘A’ and ‘B’.
population growth and the problems arising out of it in (b) What does the dotted line in the graph indicate?
our country. Hence, we are curious to know the growth Define the same.
patterns of different animal populations in nature. (c) Name the four different phases in the growth curve
Study the population growth curves shown in the given ‘B’.
figure and answer the questions that follow: Or
(c) Which one of the above two curves is more
A
realistic? Give reason.
? 93. There is no natural habitat on earth that is inhabited
Population density

B by a single species only. In nature plants, animals

and microbes do not and cannot live in isolation, but
interact in various ways to form a biological community.
Interspecific interactions arise from the interaction of
populations of two different species. The interactions
Time (t)
 Organisms and Populations 379
could be beneficial, detrimental or neutral to one or Or
both the interacting species. The following signs are (c) Draw an age-pyramid that would depict the
assigned: population growth status of India. Justify your
‘+’ for beneficial interaction answer.
‘–’ for detrimental interaction 95. Read the following passage and answer the questions
‘0’ for neutral interaction, i.e., neither beneficial nor that follow:
detrimental. Acacia plants are particularly common in drier tropical
Study the following table and answer the questions that and subtropical environments in the world. The swollen
follow: thorn acacias, which form obligate mutualisms with
Species A Species B Name of Interaction Pseudomyrmex, a species of ants, are restricted to
the New World. Swollen thorn acacias show several
(+) (+) A characteristics related to their obligate association
(–) (–) B with ants, including enlarged thorns with a soft,
easily excavated pith; year-round leaf production;
(0) (–) C enlarged foliar nectaries; and leaflet tips modified into
(+) (0) D concentrated food sources called Beltian bodies. The
thorns provide living space, while the foliar nectaries
(a) Identify and name the type of interaction among
provide a source of sugar and liquid. Beltian bodies are
(A–D) that can show co-evolution. Give two
a source of oils and protein. Resident ants vigorously
examples of this type of interaction.
guard these resources against encroachment by nearly
(b) Identify the types of interactions B and C and
all comers, including other plants. [CBSE 2021C]
define the same. (a) What type of population interaction is exhibited
Or in the above? Explain.
(b) Select from the following, the interaction(s) which (b) Given below is a graphical representation of
depict(s) D. Name the type of interaction. ants and the Acacia shoots with abundance of
(i) Ticks living on the skin of dogs. herbivorous insects:
(ii) Clown fish living among the tentacles of sea
Shoots with herbivorous insects (%)

50
anemone.
(iii) Rhizobium in the root nodules of leguminous
40
plants.
(iv) Cuscuta growing on a hedge plant. 30
(v) An orchid plant growing on a mango tree.
(vi) Sucker fish attached to the back of a whale. 20
94. Read the following passage and answer the questions
that follow: 10
Population ecology is an important area of ecology,
because it links ecology to population genetics and 0
Without ants With ants
evolution. Conditions
A population has certain attributes that an individual What conclusion can be drawn from the above
organism does not have, such as birth rate, death rate, data? Give reason.
sex-ratio and age-ratio. Or
(a) What is population in ecology? (b) Why do plants depend on animals? How do plants
(b) Define birth rate. reward the animals for their services?
(c) The shape of the age-pyramid reflects the growth 96. Read the following passage and answer the questions
status of the population. Identify the growth status that follow:
represented in the age pyramids A and B shown. The size of a population for any species is not a static
Justify your answer. parameter. It keeps changing in time, depending on
Post reproductive various factors including food availability, predation
pressure, adverse weather conditions, etc. Actually,
these changes in the population density give us some
Reproductive idea of what is happening in a population whether it
is flourishing or declining. Whatever be the ultimate
Pre-reproductive reason, the density of a population in a given habitat
A B during a given period of time fluctuates due to changes
in four basic processes.
380 Together with® Biology—12
(a) Name the two basic processes that contribute to Answer the following questions:
an increase in the population density of a region. (a) Name the type of growth curve ‘a’ and mention
(b) Name the two basic processes that contribute to when this type of growth curve occurs in nature.
a decrease in the population density of a region. (b) Why is the growth curve ‘b’ said to be realistic?
(c) (i) If a new habitat is being colonised, out of the (c) What does ‘K’ represent in the equation given
four basic processes affecting the population along the growth curve ‘b’? Define the same.
density, which one contributes the most for Or
an increase? (c) What does ‘r’ in the equations represent? Mention
(ii) If N is the population density at time ‘t’, its significance.
write the population density at time t + 1, 98. Read the following passage and answer the questions
using appropriate symbols for the processes. that follow:
Or The prey-predator relationship is an interspecific
(c) In a barn, there were 30 rats. 5 more rats entered interaction. In this relationship, the predator species
the barn and 6 of the rats were eaten by the cats. kills and feeds on another species, called prey. The prey
If 8 rats were born during the given time period, may be a plant or an animal and hence, the predator is
and 7 rats left the barn, find the resultant rat either a herbivore or a carnivore. The prey and predator
population at the time. share a common environment and evolve together with
97. Study the graph given below that shows the different the changes in the environment.
types of growth curves of different species. (a) Why are predators prudent in nature?
dN (b) An exotic variety of prickly pear introduced into
Population density (N)

= rN
dt Australia turned out to be invasive and caused
K
havoc in millions of hectares of land. What is the
‘a’ possible reason for it?
dN K –N
= rN ; E (c) Explain with an example, how predators help in
‘b’ dt K
maintaining species diversity in a community.
Or
Time (t) (c) Name four chemicals that plants produce as
defences against herbivores, but we extract them
Population Growth Curves
from plants for commercial use.

ncert Zone
NCERT Exercises
11.1. List the attributes that populations, but not (ii) Plants produce and store certain chemicals which
individuals possess. function in one or more of the following ways:
Ans. Population attributes. (a) They may make the animal feel sick.
(i) Birth rate (b) They may interfere with digestion.
  (ii) Death rate (c) They may even kill them.
 (iii) Sex ratio 11.4. An orchid plant is growing on the branch of a mango
  (iv) Age ratio. tree. How do you describe this interaction between
11.2. If a population growing exponentially doubles in size the orchid and the mango tree?
in three years, what is the intrinsic rate of increase Ans. – It is [Link] is an interspecific interaction
(r) of the population? where the orchid is benefitted, while the mango tree
Ans. Applying Nt = N0 ert is neither benefitted nor harmed.
log Nt = rt(log e) + log N0 – The orchid plant has a place to live on but does not
r = 0.231. damage the mango tree, as it does not depend for
11.3. Name important defence mechanisms in plants food or shelter on the mango tree.
against herbivory. 11.5. What is the ecological principle behind the biological
Ans. Adaptations against herbivory: control method of managing with pest insects?
(i) Thorns and spines are the most common Ans. Predation.
morphological means of defence.
 Organisms and Populations 381
11.6. Define population and community. the resource availability becomes limiting at some
Ans. Population: point of time.
In ecology, population is defined as a group of

Population density (N) →

individuals of the same species, occupying the same
K
area at a given time.
Community:
A biological community is an assemblage of populations
of all different species that live in an area and interact
among themselves.
11.7. Define the following terms and give one example
Time (t) →
for each.
(a) Commensalism (b) Parasitism – Every environment has resources to support a
(c) Camouflage (d) Mutualism particular maximum number of individuals, called its
(e) Interspecific competition. carrying capacity; beyond that there is no increase
Ans. (a) Commensalism: in the size/density of a population.
It is the interspecific interaction, where one species – A population showing logistic growth shows a
is benefitted by the association while the other Sigmoid curve, when the number of individuals is
is neither benefitted nor harmed, e.g. sucker fish plotted as a function of time.
attached to a shark. – It is described by the equation,
K−N
(b) Parasitism: dN/dt = rN f p
It is the interspecific interaction, where one species where, K
(called parasite) takes food and shelter from another N = Population density at time t.
living species (host) and damages the host in due r = Intrinsic rate of natural increase.
course of time; the parasite is benefitted and the host K = Carrying capacity.
is harmed, e.g. tapeworm in the intestine of man. – This growth model is more realistic in nature because
(c) Camouflage: no population can sustain the exponential growth
It is an adaptation, where the animal (organism) indefinitely.
blends with the surroundings to escape detection
by the predator. 11.9. Select the statement which explains best parasitism:
For example, frogs have olive green skin with (a) One organism is benefitted.
patches of chromatophores to camouflage with (b) Both the organisms are benefitted.
the grasses. (c) One organism is benefitted, the other is not affected.
(d) Mutualism: (d) One organism is benefitted, the other is affected.
It is the interspecific interaction, where both the Ans. (d) One organism is benefitted, the other is affected.
interacting species are mutually benefitted, e.g. an 11.10. List any three important characteristics of a
alga and a fungus in a lichen and Rhizobium and population and explain.
legume plant. Ans. Characteristics of population:
(e) Interspecific competition: (i) Birth rate: It refers to the per capita births in a
It is an interspecific interaction, where organisms population at a given time.
of two different species compete with each other (ii) Death rate: It refers to the per capita deaths in a
for certain common resources, e.g. flamingoes and population at a given time.
fishes competing for zooplanktons. (iii) Sex Ratio: The ratio between the male and female
11.8. With the help of a suitable diagram describe the individuals of a population at any given time, is
logistic population growth curve. called sex-ratio.
Ans. Logistic Growth Model: (iv) Age ratio: It refers to the number of individuals
– The population can grow exponentially for a certain in different age groups in a population at a given
period of time and then assumes a steady state as time.  (any three)

Select NCERT exemplar problems

1. What is interaction between two species called? Ans. It is amensalism.
Ans. Interspecific interaction. 3. What would be the growth curve pattern, when the
2. Name the association in which one species produces resources are unlimited?
poisonous substance or a change in environmental Ans. J-shaped growth curve.
conditions that is harmful to another species.
382 Together with® Biology—12
4. The density of a population in a habitat per unit
area is measured in different units. Write the unit

Population density (N) →

of measurement against the following: K

(a) Bacteria : ____________________

(b) Banyan : ____________________
(c) Deer : ____________________
(d) Fish : ____________________
Ans. (a) Number of cells/ml. of medium
(b) Per cent cover/Biomass Time (t) →
(c) Pug marks – A population growing in a habitat with limited
(d) Number per trap. resources shows initially a lag phase, followed by
acceleration (log phase) and then an asymptote,
5. A population has more young individuals compared
when the population size/density does not increase
to the older individuals. What would be the status
further; this limit is the carrying capacity of that
of the population after some years? [HOTS]
population.
Ans. It will increase, i.e. it is an expanding population.
9. In an aquarium two herbivorous species of fish
6. If a population of 50 Paramoecium present in a pool
are living together and feeding on phytoplanktons.
increases to 150 after an hour, what would be the
As per the Gause’s principle, one of the species is
growth rate of the population?
to be eliminated in due course of time, but both
Ans. 100/50; i.e., two per Paramoecium/hour.
are surviving well in the aquarium. Give possible
7. Define ‘zero population growth rate’. Draw an age reasons. [HOTS]
pyramid for the same. Ans. (i) There must be ‘resource partitioning’, i.e. by
Ans. Zero population growth rate refers to the situation when feeding on the same resource at different times.
the number of deaths and emigration is equal to the number (ii) They must have changed the pattern of foraging.
of births and immigration in a given period of time.
10. (a) Label the three tiers, 1, 2 and 3 given in the
Refer to Fig. 11.1 (b) in the text.
above age pyramid.
8. A population of Paramoecium caudatum was grown 3
in a culture medium. After 5 days, the culture
2
medium became overcrowded with Paramoecium
and had depleted nutrients. What will happen to 1
the population and what type of growth curve will (b) What type of population growth is represented
t h e p o p u l a t i o n a t t a i n ? D r a w t h e g ro w t h by the above age pyramid?
curve. [HOTS] Ans. (a) Post-reproductive
Ans. – Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of
Reproductive
individuals of a population (or size of a population)
that can be sustained by a given habitat at a given time. Pre-reproductive
(b) It is an expanding population.

Answers to all unsolved questions are given at the end of all the chapters.
 Organisms and Populations 383

Self-Evaluation Test
1. The plant which produces a highly poisonous glycoside (b) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is
to protect itself from predators, is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(a) Opuntia (b) Calotropis (c) Assertion is true but reason is false.
(c) Acacia (d) Parthenium (d) Assertion is False but reason is true.
2. The interspecific interaction in which both the 5. An ecologist studying an area with population A,
partners are adversely affected is thriving on unlimited resources and showing exponential
(a) amensalism (b) parasitism growth, introduced population B and C to the same
(c) competition (d) predation area. What will be the effect on the growth pattern of
3. Which of the following represents the total number the population A, B and C when living together in the
of organisms of a population per unit area at a given same habitat?
time? 6. (a) Write the importance of measuring the size of a
(a) Population size (b) Population density population in a habitat or an ecosystem.
(c) Population dynamics (d) Population growth (b) Explain with the help of an example how the
4. Given below is the Age Pyramid of population in one percentage cover is a more meaningful measure
of the states in India as per 2011 census. It depicts the of population size than mere numbers.
male population on the left hand side, female population 7. A forest hardly has any carnivores. Census of
on the right hand side, newborns towards the base and herbivorous mammals was taken and plotted as a graph
gradually increasing age groups as we move from base shown below:
to the top, with the oldest population at the top. Study
this pyramid and comment upon the appropriateness of J
the Assertion and the Reason.
Population density

K
S

Time (t)

(a) Identify the curve that will explain the population
growth of herbivores. Give reasons for your answer.

(b) Which of the two curves J or S in the graph ismore
realistic in nature? Give reason.
Assertion: It is a stable population. Or

Reason: The pre-reproductive and reproductive
(b) When does the curve ‘S’ become steady? Explain.
individuals are almost in equal numbers and the post-
8. (a) How is amensalism different from parasitism and
reproductive individuals are relatively fewer.
competition? Give an example for each.

(a) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is (b) Define predation.
the correct explanation of assertion.

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