What does a biological community consist of?
A. Phototrophs and autotrophs
B. The biotic and abiotic items in the ecosystem
C. All of the different population of species in one geographic area
D. The water and carbon cycle
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: C. All of the different populations of species in one geographic area
Explanation
A biological community refers to all the different populations of species that live and interact within a specific geographic area. This includes various organisms like animals, plants, fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms that coexist in the same habitat. These populations form a dynamic network of interactions, such as competition, predation, mutualism, and parasitism, which shape the structure and functioning of the community.
Each population within a community contributes to the biodiversity and ecological balance of the area. For instance, plants may provide food and shelter to herbivores, which in turn may be prey for carnivores. Decomposers like fungi and bacteria break down dead organisms, recycling nutrients back into the system. These interactions are crucial for the sustainability of the community.
It’s important to distinguish a community from an ecosystem. An ecosystem includes both biotic (living) components, like the biological community, and abiotic (non-living) factors such as sunlight, water, temperature, and soil. Therefore, Option B describes an ecosystem, not just a biological community.
Option A (Phototrophs and autotrophs) only refers to certain types of producers and is too limited in scope to represent an entire biological community.
Option D, referencing the water and carbon cycles, pertains to biogeochemical cycles, which are essential processes within ecosystems but not a direct component of a biological community.
In summary, a biological community is defined by the interacting living organisms in a shared environment. It is the biotic portion of an ecosystem, excluding non-living elements, and focuses on the relationships between different species coexisting in one area. Hence, the correct answer is C.
