Which term describes nonliving environmental factors like temperature and light?

• A. Abiotic Factor
• B. Biotic Factor
• C. Weather
• D. Climate

Answer: (A)

Abiotic factors are nonliving parts of the environment, such as temperature, light, humidity, pH, and salinity. These physical and chemical conditions shape where organisms can live and how they function, independent of any living beings. Biotic factors, in contrast, are the living components that affect organisms, like predators, prey, and competitors. Weather and climate are related terms describing atmospheric conditions: weather is the short-term state, while climate is the long-term pattern. The nonliving environmental factors described in the question fall under abiotic factors, making that the best descriptor. For example, temperature and light directly influence metabolism and photosynthesis, regardless of which organisms are present.