Unit D Population and Community Dynamics


Concept Organizer




Populations Gene Pools and Ecological Interactions

Module 8 will introduce you to the gene pool, and you will learn how to quantify its make-up, determine whether it is changing, and determine factors leading to this change.

You will be asked to apply your knowledge to answer the following questions:
  • What are the factors and conditions that exist when individuals in a population can change the gene pool?
  • How can we analyze the effects of these factors?

In this module, you will look at how the interactions and symbiotic relationships among organisms affect the structure of populations and communities. You will examine defense mechanisms that organisms use to survive predation and competition. You will study the concept of succession and how the species that make up communities change over time. You should be able to discuss the relationships that exist between species and ecosystems and the effects that these interactions have on population changes.

The focus is on population growth. You will learn the factors that contribute to growth, and how growth within populations is measured. You will learn about the two major types of growth patterns and the two strategies used by organisms for maximizing growth of populations. You should be able to discuss how biologists measure, interpret, and analyze the changes in populations over time.

After completing this module, you will understand better how both an individual's contributions to the gene pool and the interactions within communities result in changes over time. You will be able to

  • explain how populations can change over time

  • describe the ways that members of a population interact with each other and with members of other populations

  • analyze quantitatively how populations change over time

  • analyze the technologies used by society to control and manage populations

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