Biotic & abiotic factors
AQA GCSE Biology revision on Biotic & abiotic factors. Aligned to the AQA GCSE Biology 8461 specification. This bank has 25 practice questions on this topic.
Sample questions (3 of 25)
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Question 1
Which of these is classified as an abiotic factor that limits plant growth?
- A) Presence of predators
- B) Light intensity level
- C) Competition for space
- D) Pathogen transmission
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Answer: Light intensity level
Abiotic factors refer to non-living components such as light, temperature, moisture, and soil pH. Biotic factors involve living interactions like predation, disease, or competition between organisms. Light intensity is a physical factor that directly dictates the rate of photosynthesis.
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Question 2
What primary effect does a sudden increase in the population of a specific predator have on its prey?
- A) Increase in prey fitness
- B) Decline in prey numbers
- C) Rise in prey birth rate
- D) Higher prey food supply
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Answer: Decline in prey numbers
Predation is a biotic interaction where the predator relies on the prey as a food source. An increase in predator density leads to a higher consumption rate, which causes the prey population to decrease. This demonstrates the interdependency of species within a community.
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Question 3
How does an increase in soil pH affect the distribution of plants that are specifically adapted to acidic conditions?
- A) Growth rate will increase
- B) Distribution will decrease
- C) Species will adapt faster
- D) Competition will diminish
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Answer: Distribution will decrease
Soil pH is an abiotic factor that influences the availability of mineral ions for plant uptake. Plants adapted to acidic soil have evolved specific nutrient absorption mechanisms that fail in alkaline or neutral conditions. Consequently, the population size and geographical range of those species will shrink if the environment becomes unsuitable.
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