Final answer:
In the context of statistics and biology, a population is a group of individuals or objects that are studied, particularly a group of organisms of the same species living and interacting in one area. Ecologists study population ecology to understand the dynamics within a species and with their environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Definition of a Population in Biology
In statistics and biology, the definition of a population refers to a group of individuals or objects that we are interested in studying or collecting data from. Specifically, in the context of biology, a population is a group of organisms of the same species, all living in the same area and interacting with each other. This can include studies on population size, density, and the birth and death rates within these groups.
Ecologists study population ecology to understand how individual organisms within a species interact with one another and how they engage with their environment. For example, all of the angelfish living in a defined area of the ocean would constitute the angelfish population. Characteristics such as the ability to reproduce within the group determine the boundaries of a population. If two groups of similar organisms in the same area cannot interbreed, they are considered separate species, hence separate populations.
Furthermore, understanding population dynamics is crucial as populations fluctuate in response to various factors, including environmental changes and resource competition. The science that encompasses the study of these population characteristics and changes is known as demography.