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Population Trends Answers: Fruit Fly Population Growth Rabbit Population Growth

This document compares the population growth patterns of fruit flies and rabbits over time. The fruit fly population exhibits logistic growth, reaching a carrying capacity of 320 individuals after 35 days. In contrast, the rabbit population shows exponential growth over generations without any indication of reaching a capacity. While limiting factors may influence the fruit flies, the rabbits are not similarly constrained.

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2K views

Population Trends Answers: Fruit Fly Population Growth Rabbit Population Growth

This document compares the population growth patterns of fruit flies and rabbits over time. The fruit fly population exhibits logistic growth, reaching a carrying capacity of 320 individuals after 35 days. In contrast, the rabbit population shows exponential growth over generations without any indication of reaching a capacity. While limiting factors may influence the fruit flies, the rabbits are not similarly constrained.

Uploaded by

christian gipson
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Population Trends~Answers

Do Fruit flies and rabbits show similar trends in population growth?

Fruit Fly Population Growth Rabbit Population Growth


Days Number of Fruit Generation Number of Rabbits
flies s
5 10 1 100
10 50 2 105
15 100 25 1000
20 200 37 1600
25 300 55 2400
30 310 72 3350
35 320 86 8000
40 320 100 13,150

1. Study the data in the tables above. Create graphs for each table. You will choose the best
graph to represent the data. One graph will show the growth rate of a fruit fly population. The
other graph will show the growth rate of a population of rabbits. Be sure to include your graphs
with this lab sheet in your lab books.

2. Use the tables and graphs to answer the following questions:

a. What type of growth pattern is exhibited by the fruit fly population?

Flies- logistic growth

Rabbits- exponential growth

b. Does the rabbit population experience the same type of growth as the fruit flies? Explain.

No- limiting factors may have affected the growth of the flies, but not the rabbits.

c. Does either graph indicate there is a carrying capacity for the population?

The fruit flies seemed to have reached their carrying capacity.

If so, when does the population reach its carrying capacity? 35 days

What is the maximum number of individuals that can be supported at that time? 320

3. Using the storyboard template provided, tell a story about the population that reached its
carrying capacity. Be sure to include the following: logistic growth, exponential growth,
carrying capacity, the three factors that affect population growth (birth, death, and the movement
into/out of the population, which are immigration and emigration).

Sample Storyboard:

Pictures drawn here. Pictures drawn here. Pictures drawn here.

Once upon a time there The rabbit family grew Some bunnies would
was a family of rabbits. and grew as new bunnies grow old and die or
The family grew slowly were born each year. get shot by hunters.
at first, logistically
growing.
Pictures drawn here. Pictures drawn here. Pictures drawn here.

Some would emigrate Some bunnies would But no matter what, the
and leave to find greener just show up and make family just got bigger,
pastures. themselves part of the growing exponentially.
family. They were Too many bunnies, not
immigrants looking for enough food- their land
a better life. had reached its carrying
capacity. They
starved and died.

4. Animals such as foxes and cats often prey on rabbits. Based on the growth curve of the rabbit
population, what might happen if a group of predators move into the rabbits’ habitat during the
tenth generation and begin eating rabbits?

Adding predators would have created logistic growth within the rabbits; the population would
slow, stop, or decrease in later generations.

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