Problem 3 - Biology: The Dynamic Science

Question

The range of resources that a population can possibly use is called: a. its fundamental niche. b. its realized niche. c. character displacement. d. resource partitioning. e. its relative abundance.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The correct answer is (a) its fundamental niche.

Step 1: Understanding the Terminology

The first step to answering this question is to understand what each of these terms mean:\n\n- Fundamental niche: This refers to the full range of environmental conditions under which a species can survive and reproduce.\n\n- Realized niche: This is the portion of the fundamental niche that is actually utilized by the species under certain conditions.\n\n- Character displacement: It happens when similar species that occupy the same environment adapt to minimize competition for available resources.\n\n- Resource partitioning: It involves the dividing of resources amongst species so as to decrease competition.\n\n- Relative abundance: It is a component of biodiversity and refers to the evenness of distribution of individuals among species in a community.

Step 2: Applying the Definitions to the Question

Once you have understood the meanings of all the terms, the next step is to apply them to the question and find which one fits the description.

Step 3: Selecting the Correct Answer

The phrase 'the range of resources a population can possibly use' best defines the fundamental niche of a species. Thus, the correct answer is Option (a) - its fundamental niche.