Andy D
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
AndyD's Muddiest Point
My muddiest point is the difference between density-dependent limiting factors and density independent limiting factors as i am very confused about the concept and when i try to understand it i mix it up. Anyone have any useful skills on remembering the difference? Help is appreciated! Thanks,
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
The density-dependent limiting factors are when there are 2 communities with the same number of organisms/animals but one is bigger than the other, and something like the flu come along to the community. You would rather be in the larger place so you have more room and you are less likely to catch the flu, compared to the smaller place where you are almost surely to catch it. But a density independent limiting factor is when something like a hurricane comes, both places will be destroyed no matter what, so the size doesnt make a difference
ReplyDeleteDeborahS said...
ReplyDeleteBottom line...
For density dependent and independant factors... Think about a crowded classroom (very dense) vs. a less crowded classroom (not very dense).
If there was a flu spreading, which classroom would you rather be in? The less dense one!!! Because disease is density dependent.
BUT if there were a tornado that hit the school... which classroom would you rather be in? DOESN'T matter! Because a natural disaster is DENSITY INDEPENDANT!
Think about the work "limit". If someone limited your spending on clothes, then they would stop you from going shopping. A limit on growth stops the population from growing.
Ways to remember it... don't memorize the terms... think about what they mean... INDEPENDENT of density means that density doesn't matter... Think about what it means to be independent of something.. it doesn't affect you.
Density DEPENDENT means that density DOES matter... think about what the word dependent means... if you are dependent on something, it does have an affect on you.