Which of the following is an abiotic factor?

• A. A living factor, such as plants and animals
• B. A factor that affects only living organisms
• C. A non-living factor, such as air, light, physical space, and water
• D. A factor that is observed only in organisms

Answer: (C)

Abiotic factors are the non-living parts of an environment that shape where organisms can live and how well they survive. These include air, light, water, temperature, minerals, soil, and physical space. They influence processes like photosynthesis, hydration, temperature tolerance, and resource availability without being living themselves. That’s why describing an air, light, physical space, and water as non-living factors fits the concept of abiotic factors. Biotic factors, by contrast, are the living components like plants and animals, and statements that say a factor affects only living organisms or exists only within organisms don’t describe abiotic elements.