There are a number of factors that influence organisms and other living things. Learn how biotic factors, such as disease and food, are similar to and different from abiotic factors, such as temperature and weather. You will see how both biotic and abiotic factors influence living things, and how plants and animals adapt to these factors.
There are two types of environmental factors that influence organisms.
Biotic Factor: living things that affect an organism
Example: diseases, food, trees, classmates
Abiotic Factor: nonliving things that affect an organism
Example: wind, rain, minerals in soil, temperature
Organisms are adapted to specific biotic and abiotic factors in their environment.
Example: The arctic fox is adapted with thick fur to survive in very cold temperature. (Abiotic Factor)
The food source of the arctic fox is a small rodent called a lemming, found in the arctic circle.
An ecosystem consists of all organisms in an area that interact as well as the abiotic surroundings.
Source: Biology Concepts & Connections Fifth Edition Neil A. Campbell, et all.
This audio will discuss abiotic and biotic factors.
