Abiotic factors — AQA GCSE Biology
Test yourself on Abiotic factors with AQA GCSE practice questions.
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Abiotic factors explained
A community is all the populations of different species living together in a habitat.
Read the full explanation
Abiotic factors are the non-living conditions of that habitat, such as light intensity, temperature, moisture, soil pH and mineral content, wind, carbon dioxide for plants and oxygen for aquatic animals. To explain an effect, identify the factor that has changed, state the direction of change, then trace the consequence through the organisms. For example, if light intensity falling in a wood reduces photosynthesis in ground plants, their growth slows, so herbivores have less food and their numbers may fall, which can also reduce predator numbers. Always link the changed factor to a named process such as photosynthesis, enzyme activity, transpiration or gas exchange, then to survival, reproduction and population size.
Your focus
- Identify the abiotic factor that has changed and state the direction of change
- Link the changed factor to a named biological process and to the survival or reproduction of organisms
- Construct a logical chain of consequences through the community using the data or context provided
Abiotic factors exam tips
Marking Points
- Identifies the specific abiotic factor that has changed and states whether it has increased or decreased
- Links the changed factor to a named biological process, such as photosynthesis, enzyme activity, transpiration or gas exchange
- Explains the consequence for survival or reproduction of organisms in the community
- Traces the effect through more than one trophic level or species where the data or context allows
- Uses the data or context provided, quoting values or trends, rather than giving a generic answer
- Uses correct ecological terminology, including community, population, habitat and abiotic
Examiner Tips
- 💡Underline the factor and the direction of change in the question before you start writing.
- 💡Use the connectives because, so and therefore to build a logical chain from factor to population.
- 💡If data are given, quote at least one value or trend and explain what it shows about the community.
Common Mistakes
- Describing the factor without explaining a consequence; the correction is to state the effect on a named process and then on the organism.
- Treating a biotic factor, such as predation, as abiotic; the correction is to check whether the factor is living or non-living before answering.
- Giving a one-step answer that stops at the plant; the correction is to continue the chain to consumers and, where relevant, decomposers.