4. What is the difference between an abiotic and a biotic factor? List one example for an abiotic factor and one example for a biotic factor. (2 points)
The difference between an abiotic and a biotic factor lies in their composition and origin.
Abiotic factors are non-living physical and chemical elements in an ecosystem that influence the organisms living within it. They are typically derived from the non-living components of the environment. An example of an abiotic factor is sunlight, which provides the energy necessary for photosynthesis and drives various weather patterns.
Biotic factors, on the other hand, are living components of an ecosystem. They include all living organisms, from the smallest microorganisms to the largest animals. Biotic factors interact with one another and with the abiotic factors to shape the ecosystem. An example of a biotic factor is the predator-prey relationship between a lion and a zebra.