Florida Biology EOC Practice Test

What are biotic factors?

1. Factors caused by or produced by living organisms

2. Factors not associated with living organisms

3. Temperature and rainfall amounts

4. Dissolved oxygen levels

The correct answer is: Factors caused by or produced by living organisms

Biotic factors refer to influences in an ecosystem that arise from living organisms. This includes interactions between plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. These factors can affect population dynamics, community structure, and ecological relationships, such as predation, competition, and symbiosis. For example, the presence of a particular species can impact the availability of resources for other species, thereby shaping the ecosystem. The other choices represent aspects that do not align with the definition of biotic factors. Factors not associated with living organisms would pertain to abiotic factors, like physical and chemical elements of the environment. Temperature and rainfall amounts relate to the climate and environment, also categorized as abiotic factors. Lastly, dissolved oxygen levels are critical for aquatic life but are considered an abiotic factor affecting organisms rather than being driven by them.