r and K Selection - Unsolved Practice Set
Chapter: Organisms and Populations | Topic: r and K Selection
R AND K SELECTION - UNSOLVED PRACTICE SET
Topic: r and K Selection
Multiple Choice Questions
Q1. r-selected species are generally adapted to thrive in environments that are:
- Highly stable and predictable
- Unstable and unpredictable, with fluctuating resources
- Always resource-rich and constant
- Completely free from any environmental pressure
Q2. K-selected species typically show which of the following reproductive characteristics?
- A very high number of offspring with little to no parental care
- A relatively low number of offspring, but with greater parental care and investment
- No reproduction at all
- Extremely short lifespans with rapid reproduction
Q3. Which of the following is generally considered an example of an r-selected species?
- Elephant
- Housefly
- Whale
- Human
Q4. Which of the following is generally considered an example of a K-selected species?
- Mosquito
- Bacteria
- Elephant
- Weed plant species
Q5. K-selected species are typically associated with populations that remain:
- Far below the carrying capacity of their environment at all times
- Close to the carrying capacity of their environment
- Completely disconnected from the concept of carrying capacity
- Always experiencing exponential growth
Short Answer Questions
Q6. Define r-selection and K-selection as life history strategies.
Q7. Give one example each of an r-selected species and a K-selected species.
Q8. How does parental care typically differ between r-selected and K-selected species?
Q9. Why are r-selected species generally better suited to unpredictable or rapidly changing environments?
Long Answer Questions
Q10. Discuss the characteristics of r-selected species, explaining how their reproductive strategy suits environments with unstable or unpredictable conditions.
Q11. Discuss the characteristics of K-selected species, explaining how their reproductive strategy suits environments with stable conditions near carrying capacity.
APPLICATION / ANALYSIS
Q12. A species of insect produces thousands of offspring in a single reproductive cycle but provides no parental care, and most offspring do not survive to adulthood. In contrast, a species of large mammal produces only one or two offspring per reproductive cycle but invests significant time and energy caring for them. Identify which species follows an r-selected strategy and which follows a K-selected strategy, and justify your answer.
Q13. A newly disturbed habitat, such as a recently cleared field, is often first colonised by fast-reproducing weed species rather than slow-growing, long-lived plant species. Explain, using your understanding of r and K selection, why r-selected species tend to be the first colonisers of such disturbed or unstable environments.