Florida Biology EOC Practice Test

Which term describes the maximum population size that an environment can sustain?

1. Abiotic Factor

2. Carrying Capacity

3. Gross Primary Productivity

4. Net Primary Productivity

The correct answer is: Carrying Capacity

Carrying capacity is the correct term to describe the maximum population size that an environment can sustain. This is because carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of individuals of a species that can be supported by a specific environment without causing environmental degradation or resource depletion. This can vary for different species and can change over time due to factors such as availability of resources and changes in environmental conditions. Abiotic factors, on the other hand, are non-living components of an ecosystem such as water, temperature, and nutrients. While these factors can affect a population's growth, they do not specifically refer to the maximum population size that an environment can sustain. Gross primary productivity (GPP) is the total amount of energy produced by plants through photosynthesis. This is not directly related to the maximum population size an environment can sustain, although it can indirectly impact it by providing food for the population. Similarly, net primary productivity (NPP) is the energy remaining after plants use some of it for their own respiration. While this also plays a role in the ecosystem's overall energy flow, it does not directly determine the maximum population size an environment can sustain.