answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

A population is "density-dependent" when it is affected by its size. An example might be population growth: as a population gets large, it might grow slower since there are less resources to use up or diseases become prevalent. The growth rate depends on the population size (also called population density).

A population is "density-independent" when the current size doesn't change anything. For example bacteria populations are largely density-independent when they are small. For example they roughly double in size every few minutes. Whether you start with one single bacterium or a colony of 100, the total count will double every few minutes. This is exponential growth.

Only after the bacteria colony gets extremely large (millions or billions of individual cells) will the density begin to affect the colonies growth rate, at which point its population growth is then density-dependent.

Another example of a density-independent process might be radioactive decay. No matter how much of the radioactive matter is left at any point in time, half of it will be left after one half-life length of time into the future. It does not matter how the material is arranged, it could be one big clump of material (densely packed together), or it could be smashed into many bits separated far away from each other.

User Avatar

Wiki User

8y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What is population density dependent and density independent'?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Is Influenza epidemic density dependent or density independent?

Density dependent, since the contagiousness of the epidemic depends on the density of the population.


What is the difference between density-dependent factors and density independent factors?

Density dependent factors are factors that depend of the population (density). Such as food, water, and space Density Independent factors are factors that the population (density) depends on. Such as weather, natural disasters and random occurances.


What is the difference between density independent factors and density dependent factors?

Density dependent factors are factors that depend of the population (density). Such as food, water, and space Density Independent factors are factors that the population (density) depends on. Such as weather, natural disasters and random occurances.


What is difference between density independent and density dependent limiting factors?

A density dependent factor is a limiting factor that depends on population size. A Density-independent limiting factor affects all populations in similar ways, regardless of the population size. Its in my Biology book.


Is intense competition for a food source a density independent or density dependent?

density independent or density dependent?Intense Competitonn For A Food Source


Is density independent or dependent?

Disease is Density dependent.


What are the similarities between density-dependent factors and density- independent factors?

Density dependent factors are factors that depend of the population (density). Such as food, water, and space Density Independent factors are factors that the population (density) depends on. Such as weather, natural disasters and random occurances.


Is the change in the number of predators density dependent or independent?

Density Dependent


Is seasonal cycles a density dependent limiting factor?

No it is a Density independent factor- nonliving and does not depend on population size


What density independent and density dependent limiting factors may prevent the human population from continued growth?

KKK


What is the main difference between a density dependent limiting factor and a density independent limiting factor?

A density dependent factor is a limiting factor that depends on population size. A Density-independent limiting factor affects all populations in similar ways, regardless of the population size. Its in my biology book.


Is Change in the number of predators density dependent or density independent?

Density Dependent