Atoms combine to form molecules
The characteristics of molecules and their
organization in a cell up to speciation are discussed in the biology section.
This chapter includes interaction at population and the levels above it.
Population Ecology
Population is a group of organisms of the same species that live in
the same area at the same time. Certain principles govern the growth and
sustainability of populations over time. Ecological interactions start within
and between populations.
Each population has its
own gene pool and range of traits. It also has a characteristic size, density, and
distribution pattern and age structure. Environmental conditions and species
interaction influence these characteristics. Population size is generally an
out -come of births, deaths, immigration and emigration. As long as the per
capita birth rate remains even slightly above per capita death rate, a
population can grow exponentially. Resources is short supply put limits on the
growth of population. The maximum number of individuals of a population that
can be sustained indefinitely be the resources in a given environment is
referred as carrying capacity.
