Factors Influencing Growth
What are some factors that influence the growth of organisms?
Environmental/Abiotic Factors
Biological/Biotic Factors
Genetic Factors
Human Impact
How do abiotic factors affect growth?
Abiotic factors limit growth by determining how many natural resources an organism has.
What are some ways Environmental/Abiotic Factors influence growth?
Temperature: Temperatures that are too hot or cold can limit growth
Light: Plants need light to produce the energy they need and mammals need light to produce Vitamin D.
Water: All life requires water to survive and grow.
Soil nutrients: Plants require nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium to survive and grow
Space: Overcrowding can influence growth by limiting the number of resources an organism receives and the size it will grow up to.
What are some ways Biological/Biotic Factors influence growth?
Food availability: Determines energy for growth
Competition: Organisms fight for resources.
Predation: Being hunted limits population size.
Disease: Can slow or stop growth.
How do Genetic Factors influence growth?
Genetic Factors directly influence growth by setting the parameters for the organism's size, growth rate, lifespan, and resistance to disease.
What are some ways Human Impact influences growth?
Pollution
Deforestation
Overfishing
Habitat destruction
All of these can reduce resources and affect growth of populations.