Which of the following best describes oxygen in the context of the characteristics of life?

• A. Oxygen is an abiotic factor.
• B. Oxygen is both biotic and abiotic.
• C. Oxygen is neither biotic nor abiotic.
• D. Oxygen is a biotic factor.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definitions of 'biotic' and 'abiotic': Biotic factors refer to living components of an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms. Abiotic factors refer to non-living components, such as sunlight, temperature, water, and gases like oxygen.
2. Analyze the role of oxygen in ecosystems: Oxygen is a chemical element and a gas that is essential for the survival of many organisms. It is involved in processes like cellular respiration but is not itself a living organism.
3. Determine whether oxygen fits the definition of biotic or abiotic: Since oxygen is a non-living component of the environment, it aligns with the definition of an abiotic factor.
4. Consider the other options provided: Oxygen cannot be both biotic and abiotic simultaneously because it does not possess characteristics of living organisms. Similarly, it cannot be neither biotic nor abiotic, as it clearly falls into one of these categories.
5. Conclude that the best description of oxygen in the context of the characteristics of life is that it is an abiotic factor.