AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The maximum population size that an ecosystem can support is called carrying capacity. Limiting factors determine carrying capacity. The availability of abiotic factors (such as water, oxygen, and space) and biotic factors (such as food) dictates how many organisms can live in an ecosystem.

Detailed explanation-2: -Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of one species that a particular environment can support.

Detailed explanation-3: -Carrying capacity is the maximum population of a given species that a certain ecosystem can sustain indefinitely without being degraded.

Detailed explanation-4: -A limiting factor is anything that constrains a population’s size and slows or stops it from growing. Some examples of limiting factors are biotic, like food, mates, and competition with other organisms for resources.

Detailed explanation-5: -The carrying capacity of an environment is the maximum population it can support with available resources. Carrying capacity is one of the limiting factors for population increase. So, the correct answer is ‘Carrying capacity’