Which of the following best defines biotic potential?

• A. The maximum reproductive capacity of an organism under optimal environmental conditions.
• B. The rate at which energy is transferred between trophic levels.
• C. The ability of an organism to adapt to environmental changes.
• D. The total number of different species in an ecosystem.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the term 'biotic potential' by breaking it down: 'biotic' refers to living organisms, and 'potential' refers to the capacity or ability to achieve something under ideal conditions.
2. Recognize that biotic potential specifically refers to the reproductive capacity of an organism, meaning how many offspring it can produce under optimal environmental conditions.
3. Eliminate the incorrect options by analyzing their definitions: 'The rate at which energy is transferred between trophic levels' refers to energy flow in ecosystems, not reproduction. 'The ability of an organism to adapt to environmental changes' refers to adaptability, not reproductive capacity. 'The total number of different species in an ecosystem' refers to biodiversity, not biotic potential.
4. Focus on the correct definition: 'The maximum reproductive capacity of an organism under optimal environmental conditions' aligns with the concept of biotic potential.
5. Conclude that biotic potential is a measure of the maximum number of offspring an organism can produce when environmental factors such as food, space, and absence of predators are ideal.