abiotic factors ( non-living )

Question 1

name the 7 abiotic factors?

Answer 1

light intensity, temperature, water, pH and mineral content of soil, wind intensity and direction, carbon dioxide level, oxygen

Question 2

how does light intensity affect organisms in an environment?

Answer 2

if light intensity is low, rate of photosynthesis falls and plants grow slowly
animals which feed on plants may not have enough food because plant is growing slowly

Question 3

how does temperature affect an environment?

Answer 3

if temperature of an environment changes, this could cause distribution of species to change

Question 4

why is water important to an environment?

Answer 4

both plants and animals need water to survive

Question 5

how does pH and mineral content affect an environment?

Answer 5

many plants can’t grow on soil which is too acidic or alkaline
plants need certain minerals in the soil e.g. nitrate which are used to make amino acids which make proteins

Question 6

how does wind intensity and direction affect an environment?

Answer 6

winds blowing inland from sea can cause plants to lose water

Question 7

how does carbon dioxide level affect an environment?

Answer 7

co2 is needed for plants to photosynthesise
if co2 level falls, rate of photosynthesis falls

Question 8

how does oxygen levels affect an environment?

Answer 8

needed for aerobic respiration
level of dissolved oxygen in water can fall e.g. on hot days, therefore it can be harmful to aquatic organisms