Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which of the following is a biotic factor that affects the size of a population in a specific ecosystem?
A
Amount of sunlight
B
Annual rainfall
C
Predation by other species
D
Soil pH
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the term 'biotic factor.' Biotic factors refer to living components in an ecosystem that can influence the size and dynamics of a population, such as predation, competition, and symbiotic relationships.
Step 2: Contrast biotic factors with abiotic factors. Abiotic factors are non-living components of an ecosystem, such as sunlight, rainfall, temperature, and soil pH. These factors can also affect populations but are not considered biotic.
Step 3: Analyze the options provided in the question. Identify which options represent abiotic factors (amount of sunlight, annual rainfall, soil pH) and which represent biotic factors (predation by other species).
Step 4: Focus on the biotic factor, 'Predation by other species.' Predation is a direct interaction between living organisms where one species (the predator) hunts and consumes another species (the prey), significantly influencing population size.
Step 5: Conclude that predation by other species is the correct answer because it is a biotic factor that directly impacts the size of a population in an ecosystem.