Abiotic or Biotic?
Is sunlight an abiotic or biotic factor?
Abiotic Factor
What does the word “environment” mean?
The surrounding conditions where an organism lives.
Which environmental factor provides energy for plants to make their own food?
Light (sunlight).
In your lab, which goldfish were bigger—wild or captive?
Wild goldfish
If a plant gets more sunlight, what usually happens?
It grows faster/bigger.
Is bacteria in the soil abiotic or biotic?
Biotic Factor
Name one environmental condition that can affect how fast a plant grows.
Sunlight, water, soil quality, or temperature.
Why do animals need space in their environment?
To move, grow, find shelter, and access resources.
What is one abiotic factor that might help wild goldfish grow larger?
More space, water quality, temperature.
If predators increase, how might that affect prey populations?
Prey populations decrease.
Is temperature an abiotic or biotic factor?
Abiotic Factor
If a habitat becomes colder, how might that affect the organisms living there?
Some might grow more slowly, move away, or struggle to survive.
How does having more food available affect an organism’s growth?
It allows the organism to grow larger and stay healthier.
What is one biotic factor that might affect goldfish growth?
Food availability, predators, competition.
How can introducing a new species affect growth of native species?
It can cause competition for resources or crowd them out.
A population of rabbits depends on grass for food. Is grass abiotic or biotic?
Biotic factor
Explain one way pollution can affect an organism’s growth.
It can harm their health, reduce resources, or make the environment toxic.
What might happen to plants if they don’t get enough water?
They may wilt or stop growing
Why might captive goldfish grow smaller than wild ones?
Limited space, less natural food, controlled environment.
What happens to fish growth if oxygen levels in water drop?
Growth slows or fish may die.
Explain why water is considered an abiotic factor even though all living things need it.
Because water itself is nonliving, even though it supports life.
Describe how a drought could affect both biotic and abiotic parts of an ecosystem.
Less water (abiotic) → plants die → animals lose food/shelter.
Explain how all four factors—space, food, water, and light—work together to affect an organism’s growth and development.
Organisms need enough space to access food and water; plants also need light for energy. If even one factor is limited, growth can slow or stop.
Explain how multiple environmental factors worked together to affect the goldfish size differences.
Wild goldfish had more space, better food, natural abiotic conditions → increased growth.
Describe a chain reaction where one small environmental change affects many organisms.
Example: Less rain → fewer plants → less food for herbivores → fewer predators.