📚 Topic Summary
Abiotic factors are the non-living parts of an ecosystem that significantly influence living organisms. These include things like sunlight, temperature, water, soil, and air. Understanding abiotic factors helps us see how environments support different kinds of life. For example, a cactus can survive in the desert because it's adapted to low water availability, a key abiotic factor. Changes in abiotic factors can affect the survival and distribution of species. Let's dive into some activities to test your knowledge!
🌡️ Part A: Vocabulary
Match the term with its definition:
| Term |
Definition |
| 1. Temperature |
A. The amount of water in an environment. |
| 2. Sunlight |
B. The degree of hotness or coldness. |
| 3. Water |
C. The composition of the earth's surface, including minerals and organic matter. |
| 4. Soil |
D. Energy from the sun that affects photosynthesis. |
| 5. Air |
E. The mixture of gases surrounding the Earth. |
Answers:
1-B, 2-D, 3-A, 4-C, 5-E
💧 Part B: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences using the words provided: sunlight, temperature, oxygen, soil, water.
- Plants need ___________ to perform photosynthesis.
- The ___________ of a habitat affects the metabolic rate of organisms.
- All living things need ___________ to survive.
- The type of ___________ influences what plants can grow.
- Fish breathe __________ dissolved in the __________.
Answers:
- sunlight
- temperature
- water
- soil
- oxygen, water
🤔 Part C: Critical Thinking
How might a prolonged drought (lack of water) affect the plants and animals living in a forest ecosystem? Explain your answer.