Chapter 2, Problem 10STP

Summary Introduction

To identify:

Two biotic factors and two abiotic factors that affect the worm found in the situation shown in the given diagram.

  

Introduction : The living factors in an organism’s environment are called biotic factors. These include other organisms that live in a particular habitat and interact with each other. The nonliving factors in an organism’s environment are called abiotic factors. These include temperature, soil, water, oxygen, sunlight, rainfall etc.

Answer to Problem 10STP

Biotic factors could include organisms that may be eaten by the worm and other organisms that may compete with the worm for nutrients.

Abiotic factors may include soil in which the worm lives and nutrients present in the soil.

Explanation of Solution

The given illustration shows an ecosystem where a worm lives inside the soil. The worm interacts with several biotic and abiotic factors.

Biotic factors- There may be several biotic factors affecting the life of worm inside the soil. These may include other worms which might compete with the worm for nutrients and oxygen. The worm has to feed on other organisms for its survival. So it is dependent on other organisms for its food.

Abiotic factors- The worm is dependent on some nonliving factors as well. One such factor is the soil in which it lives. The texture and kind of soil affects the growth of the worm. They prefer loose soil which has air trapped in soil particles so that they can breathe easily through their skin. It is also affected by the amount of nutrients present in the soil as the worm prefers soil rich in nitrogen and organic matter.