AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
Biotic factors: Biotic (living) factors which can affect a community are:
Biotic factors are living influences on a community.
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Biotic factors are living influences on a community. The main ones are food availability, the arrival of a new predator, the arrival of a new pathogen, and one species outcompeting another. Food availability affects how many organisms can survive and reproduce. A new predator reduces prey numbers and may also affect plants or animals the prey fed on. A new pathogen can spread through a population, reducing the population size of susceptible species. Competition occurs when organisms need the same food, water or space; the better-adapted species may survive and reproduce more, outcompeting the other so its numbers are no longer sufficient to breed. These factors interact, so a change in one can ripple through the whole community.
What earns the marks
- States that biotic factors are living factors affecting a community.
- Names food availability as a biotic factor and links it to survival and reproduction.
- Names a new predator and explains that it reduces prey numbers.
- Names a new pathogen and explains that it causes disease and reduces population size.
- Names competition between species and identifies a shared resource such as food, water or space.
- Explains that one species can outcompete another so the numbers are no longer sufficient to breed, altering community composition.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Listing abiotic factors such as light, temperature or water when asked for biotic factors.
Put it right: Biotic factors are living, such as predators, pathogens and competitors.
Confusing a pathogen with a predator.
Put it right: A pathogen causes disease inside an organism, while a predator kills and eats prey.
Saying competition always kills the weaker species immediately.
Put it right: Competition reduces resources, so the less well-adapted species may decline until numbers are no longer sufficient to breed.
Exam tips
- Learn the four named biotic factors and give a one-line effect for each.
- When asked to name factors, give the factor and a brief consequence to show understanding.
- Use examples from the question context rather than generic ones where possible.
Try the lesson
The start of the Biotic factors: Biotic (living) factors which can affect a community are: lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of these is a biotic factor that can affect a community?
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Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Biotic factors
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Food availability
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New predator
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New pathogen
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Biotic factors
- Living factors which can affect a community.
- Food availability
- Affects how many organisms can survive and reproduce.
- New predator
- Reduces prey numbers and may also affect plants or animals the prey fed on.
- New pathogen
- Can spread through a population, reducing the population size of susceptible species.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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