Biotic and Abiotic: Definition, Difference, Components, Meaning, Examples & Differences

What are Biotic Factors?

Biotics comes from the words "bio" and "tic," which indicate "like". As a result, biotic factors refer to all the living things that create an ecosystem and indicate life-like.

Biotic Components refer to the living species that directly or indirectly affect other organisms in an environment. For instance, consider plants, fungi, bacteria, animals, and the waste products they produce. It plays a very important role in the Survival and reproduction process that takes place inside the ecosystem. The biotic factors are also responsible for balancing out the ecological balance and are interdependent upon other factors responsible for it.

Examples of Biotic Factors

Biotic factors include all of the living things that can be found in an ecosystem. They can be further classified into 3 main categories:

1. Producers: These are autotrophs which can prepare their own food. Examples include green plants, algae and a few photosynthetic bacteria.

2. Consumers: They are heterotrophs who depend on producers for food. They are further divided into 4 types called primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary consumers. Examples include rabbits, foxes, wolves, lions, tigers, etc.

3. Decomposers: Their main role in the ecosystem is to decompose producers and consumers (usually dead) into simpler forms which can be used.

Roles of Biotic Components in Ecosystem

• Plants use abiotic factors like sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to create energy through photosynthesis.

• Animals obtain energy by consuming other organisms which helps in driving the food chain and maintaining the balance in the population.

• Decomposers break down organic matter, recycle nutrients and enrich the soil, which is essential for plant growth and development.

What are Abiotic Factors?

The phrase "abiotic" is made up of the prefix “a-”, which indicates without, and the word “bio”, which signifies life. Hence, the term "abiotic" refers to all the nonliving components that make up an ecosystem. The abiotic factors are made up of the sun, water, and terrain.

Nonliving elements that have an impact on an ecosystem are known as abiotic factors. Despite not being alive, these elements affect the connected living things and are a component of the ecosystem..

Examples of Abiotic Factors

Examples of abiotic phenomena mostly rely on the kind of ecosystem. Abiotic elements are mainly of two types:

1. Climatic factors: It includes rain, temperature, light, wind, humidity, etc.

2. Edaphic factors: These factors are related to soil. It includes type and pH of the soil, topography,minerals.

Roles of Abiotic Components in Ecosystem

• Abiotic factors like soil contains minerals, water and other essential elements that are vital for biotic components.

• Chemical factors such as pH level salinity and mineral nutrition are also essential for the habitat of different organisms.

• The persistence and procreation of species within an ecosystem are significantly influenced by these variables. For instance, autotrophic organisms may not be able to survive in the absence of sufficient sunshine.

Difference between Biotic and Abiotic Factors

Some of the major difference between biotic and abiotic is discussed below:

Interdependence of Biotic and Abiotic Factors

Importance for Ecosystem Balance

Biotic and abiotic factors are closely related and interdependent on each other to main ecosystem stability. For example, plants depend on sunlight, carbon dioxide and water for photosynthesis, while animals depend on plants for food and oxygen. Finally, the decomposers recycle nutrients from dead organisms back into the soil. This cycle continues the flow of energy and matter, maintaining ecological balance.

Adaptations to Abiotic Factors

Living organisms show special adaptations to survive under different conditions. Adaptations help them to survive and reproduce, even in harsh conditions. For example:

• Distribution of green plants is more in areas with higher light intensity.

• Animals like polar bears have thick fur skin and deposition of fat layers for insulation.

• Aquatic organisms adapt to salinity levels and water currents.

Biotic and Abiotic Factors NEET MCQs (With Answers & Explanations)

This topic carries a significant weightage in the NEET exam. The common types of questions include:

• Examples and functions of abiotic factors.

• Examples and roles of different biotic components.

• Interdependence of biotic and abiotic components.

• Adaptations of organisms to abiotic factors in their environment (e.g., how temperature affects metabolism).

Q1. Which of the following statements is true regarding the biotic components of an ecosystem?

1. Biotic components include only the primary producers.

2. Biotic components include only the top predators.

3. Biotic components include both the producers and consumers.

4. Biotic components include only the decomposers.

Correct answer: 3) Biotic components include both the producers and consumers.

Explanation:

Biotic components of an ecosystem refer to the living organisms that make up the ecosystem. These can be classified as primary producers, consumers, or decomposers, and all of these categories fall under the broader category of biotic components.

1. Producers (autotrophs) are living things that use photosynthesis or chemosynthesis to make their food such as plants, algae, and some bacteria. On the food chain, they are the base.

2. Heterotrophs, or consumers are living things that get their energy from eating other living things because they are unable to produce their food. Carnivores (secondary and tertiary consumers), herbivores (primary consumers) and omnivores are examples of consumers.

3. Decomposers: These microorganisms, which include fungi and bacteria, decompose dead organic matter and return nutrients to the environment.

Hence, the correct answer is option 3)Biotic components include both the producers and consumers.

Q2. Which of the following abiotic factors can limit the productivity of an aquatic ecosystem?

1. Oxygen

2. Nitrogen

3. Temperature

4. All of the above

Correct answer: 4) All of the above

Explanation:

All of the abiotic factors listed can limit the productivity of an aquatic ecosystem. Oxygen is necessary for the survival of aquatic organisms but can become limiting if the concentration in the water is too low. Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for aquatic plants and algae, but can also become limiting if the concentration in the water is too low. Temperature can impact the rate of photosynthesis and the metabolism of aquatic organisms, and extreme temperatures can be lethal. Therefore, all of these abiotic factors can limit the productivity of an aquatic ecosystem.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4) All of the above.

Q3. Assertion: Temperature is a limiting factor for the survival of organisms in extreme environments.

Reasoning: Extreme temperatures can denature proteins and disrupt metabolic processes in organisms.

1. Both assertion and reason are correct. The reason is also the correct explanation for Assertion

2. Both assertion and reason are correct. The reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion.

3. The assertion is incorrect, but the reasoning is correct

4. Both the assertion and reasoning are incorrect

Correct answer: 1) Both assertion and reason are correct. The reason is also the correct explanation for Assertion

Explanation:

Temperature is a limiting factor for the survival of organisms in extreme environments because extreme temperatures can denature proteins and disrupt metabolic processes in organisms. For example, in extreme heat, enzymes can become denatured and lose their function, leading to decreased metabolic rates and potential death of the organism. Similarly, in extreme cold, metabolic processes can slow down to the point where they become insufficient for the survival of the organism. Therefore, both the assertion and reasoning are correct and are related.

Hence, the correct answer is option 1) Both assertion and reason are correct. The reason is also the correct explanation for Assertion.

Also Read:

• MCQs on Components of Ecosystem

• Population Growth

• Organisms and Population Attributes