What is a population in terms of biology? Scientists give this definition: this is a certain number of individuals living in the same territory, having a genetic community and the ability to reproduce.
The genetic structure of a population is the main factor that unites individuals of a biological species. This affects not only reproduction, but also the organization of food production, and intraspecific relationships. You can give an example. Scientists decided to find out how individuals of one species will develop in different conditions. The experiment was conducted in the laboratory. Two locust broods were placed in transparent containers. One numbered five individuals, the other five hundred. At first, development was identical. Both containers were given the same amount of food. In a small population, insects continued to behave calmly, they were large, non-aggressive. In the big one, insects were constantly struggling: there wasn’t enough food for everyone, and space was limited. These individuals have become much smaller in size.
compared with well-fed congeners and very aggressive. They quickly stood on the wing. But the lack of food led to the fact that the locust did not breed, and many began to get sick. The described experiment clearly demonstrates what a population is and how it changes depending on living conditions.
It was experimentally proven that the well-being of a species depends on how successfully the process of reproduction and development of new territories takes place. This is part of the static and dynamic characteristics of the population. The first ones talk about how a separate part of individuals of one species can reproduce themselves. The second - about how the population is able to occupy more and more territories, and its representatives - to adapt to environmental changes.
What is a population in terms of ecology? This concept is considered, first of all, as a factor influencing the change in the environment. That is, one population of a certain biological species, leading life activity in a certain territory, actively influences changes in living conditions not only of its species, but also of others. The same locust can serve as an example. When its population increases to very large sizes, it becomes winged, begins to migrate, eating everything in its path. Thus, the growth of populations of one species leads to the destruction of others.
What is a human population as a biological species? This is a very interesting question. Humanity occupies a large part of the surface of the planet. Homo sapiens belongs to those species that most actively change the environment in the course of their life. The human population itself is growing quite rapidly. And there is a fear that nature will begin to control our reproduction. She has many ways to influence the numbers. This is a limitation of food resources, fresh water, infectious diseases that can cause serious epidemics. These are, so to speak, natural ways. In addition, there are other factors affecting the emotional and mental state: increased aggression and the struggle for resources.
