Which term refers to the living parts of an ecosystem?

Which term refers to the living parts of an ecosystem?

• A. Biotic Factors
• B. Abiotic Factors
• C. Decomposer
• D. Heterotroph

Answer: (A)

Living parts of an ecosystem are called biotic factors. These are all the organisms—the plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms—that interact with one another and with the environment. Abiotic factors are the nonliving parts, like sunlight, water, temperature, and soil. A decomposer is a kind of living organism, but it’s just one example of biotic factors rather than the general term for all living parts. A heterotroph is a nutritional classification for organisms that must consume other organisms, not the label for the living components of an ecosystem.

Living parts of an ecosystem are called biotic factors. These are all the organisms—the plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms—that interact with one another and with the environment. Abiotic factors are the nonliving parts, like sunlight, water, temperature, and soil. A decomposer is a kind of living organism, but it’s just one example of biotic factors rather than the general term for all living parts. A heterotroph is a nutritional classification for organisms that must consume other organisms, not the label for the living components of an ecosystem.