Which of the following describes biotic factors in an ecosystem?

Biotic factors in an ecosystem refer to the living components that interact with each other and their environment. These include all forms of life, such as plants, animals, microorganisms, and even human influence. Plants and animals play crucial roles in ecosystems as they interact through food webs, competition, and symbiotic relationships. For example, plants produce oxygen through photosynthesis, serving as a primary food source for herbivores, which in turn become food for carnivores. This interconnectedness highlights how living organisms within an ecosystem contribute to the overall dynamics and health of that environment.

The other choices, while relevant to ecosystems, include abiotic factors. Sunlight and temperature, for instance, are important for regulating the climate and energy sources within an ecosystem but are non-living components. Soil and water, although essential for supporting life, are also considered abiotic factors. Similarly, minerals and rocks are geological elements that provide the foundation for ecosystems but do not possess life. Understanding the distinction between biotic and abiotic factors is key to studying ecological relationships and processes.