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Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements best describes a community in ecological terms?
A
A group of populations of different species living and interacting in the same area.
B
The physical environment and all the organisms living in it.
C
All the abiotic factors in a given ecosystem.
D
A group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the term 'community' in ecological terms. A community refers to a group of populations of different species that live and interact within the same area. This interaction can include various relationships such as predation, competition, and mutualism.
Step 2: Analyze the options provided. The first option describes a community accurately as it mentions 'a group of populations of different species living and interacting in the same area.' This aligns with the ecological definition of a community.
Step 3: Evaluate the second option. It includes the physical environment and all organisms living in it, which is a broader concept known as an ecosystem, not a community.
Step 4: Assess the third option. It refers to abiotic factors in a given ecosystem, which are non-living components like temperature, water, and soil. This does not describe a community, as a community specifically involves living organisms.
Step 5: Examine the fourth option. It describes a group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area, which is the definition of a population, not a community. A community involves multiple species interacting together.