A Level Biology Practice Exam

What is a community in ecological terms?

1. A species residing in a specific habitat

2. All populations of living organisms in a particular habitat

3. The abiotic factors within an ecosystem

4. A network of food chains

The correct answer is: All populations of living organisms in a particular habitat

In ecological terms, a community refers to all populations of living organisms that coexist and interact in a specific habitat. This includes various species of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms that inhabit the same area and can influence one another through various ecological interactions such as predation, competition, and symbiosis. Choosing this option highlights the complexity of biological interactions within a defined space, underscoring how different species depend on and affect each other’s populations. For example, the presence of predators, plants, and herbivores within the same community can significantly alter population dynamics and overall ecosystem health. The other options refer to concepts that, while related to ecology, do not capture the full meaning of a biological community. For instance, a single species residing in a specific habitat is just one part of a broader community, and abiotic factors represent the non-living components of an ecosystem, which do not include the living interactions crucial for defining a community. Additionally, a network of food chains pertains to the flow of energy within the ecosystem rather than the grouping of populations that form a community.