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Population Dynamics

Start Interactive
interface image of the population dynamics interactive

Topic

  • Ecology
  • Populations
  • Scientific Skills & Literacy
  • Visual & Physical Models
  • Math & Computational Skills
  • Graph Interpretation

Resource Type

  • Interactive Media
  • Click & Learn

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Used In
1 BioInteractive Playlists
Saved By
76 Users
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Description

This interactive simulation allows students to explore two classic mathematical models that describe how populations change over time: the exponential and logistic growth models.

The exponential growth model describes how a population changes if its growth is unlimited. This model can be applied to populations that are small and/or have no competition for resources. The logistic growth model describes how a population changes if there is an upper limit to its growth. This model can be applied to populations that are limited by food, space, competition, and other density-dependent factors.

In this Click & Learn, students can easily graph and explore both the exponential and logistic growth models. Students can set multiple model parameters, such as starting population size, time, and carrying capacity, and observe how population growth is affected by changing any of these variables.

The accompanying worksheets guide students’ exploration. The “Student Worksheet” introduces students to the Click & Learn by having them analyze different components of the models, generate and interpret related plots, and investigate examples of population growth in bacteria and humans. The “African Wildlife Case Studies” handout allows students to apply the Click & Learn to three case studies involving African antelope populations, including wildebeest.

The “Resource Google Folder” link directs to a Google Drive folder of resource documents in the Google Docs format. Not all downloadable documents for the resource may be available in this format. The Google Drive folder is set as “View Only”; to save a copy of a document in this folder to your Google Drive, open that document, then select File → “Make a copy.” These documents can be copied, modified, and distributed online following the Terms of Use listed in the “Details” section below, including crediting BioInteractive.

Student Learning Targets

  • Describe the assumptions of the exponential and logistic growth models, and how those assumptions do or do not apply to different populations.
  • Interpret and apply the exponential and logistic growth equations.
  • Explain how the key variables and parameters in these models — such as time, the maximum per capita growth rate, the initial population size, and the carrying capacity — affect population growth.
  • Use the exponential and logistic growth models to project and interpret real biological examples.
  • Interpret and analyze plots summarizing population growth over time.

Estimated Time

One to two 50-minute class periods.

Key Terms

carrying capacity, exponential growth, logistic growth, mathematical population model, population density, population growth rate, simulator

Terms of Use

The resource is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. No rights are granted to use HHMI’s or BioInteractive’s names or logos independent from this Resource or in any derivative works.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files meet criteria. Interactive media meets criteria.

Version History

Date Published 08.15.17
Date Updated 12.22.20

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS2-1, HS-LS4-5; SEP2, SEP5

AP Biology (2019)

ENE-4.B, SYI-1.G, SYI-1.H, SYI-3.D; SP2, SP4, SP5, SP6

IB Biology (2016)

C.5

AP Environmental Science (2020)

Topic(s): 3.4, 3.5
Learning Objectives & Practices: ERT-3.D, ERT-3.F

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

2.1, 3.2

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9-12.7, ELA.WHST.9-12.1 Math.A-REI.6, Math.N-Q.1, Math.F-IF.7, Math.S-ID.4, Math.S-ID.7; MP2, MP4

Vision and Change (2009)

CC5; DP2, DP3

Materials

Resource Google Folder (Link)
Educator Materials (PDF) 1 MB
Student Worksheet (PDF) 314 KB
African Wildlife Case Studies (PDF) 634 KB

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This Resource Appears in the Following Playlists

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6 Resources
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