A community is best described as the collection of:

• A. all the abiotic factors in an environment
• B. different populations of organisms living together in a particular area
• C. the physical environment and all living organisms in it
• D. individuals of the same species living in a specific area

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definition of a community in biology: A community refers to different populations of organisms living together in a particular area. It does not include abiotic factors or the physical environment.
2. Clarify the distinction between a community and other ecological levels: A population consists of individuals of the same species living in a specific area, while an ecosystem includes both the physical environment and all living organisms.
3. Eliminate incorrect options: The option 'all the abiotic factors in an environment' refers to non-living components, which are not part of a community. Similarly, 'the physical environment and all living organisms in it' describes an ecosystem, not a community.
4. Focus on the correct option: A community is specifically the collection of different populations of organisms living together in a particular area, emphasizing interactions among living organisms.
5. Summarize the concept: A community is a biological level of organization that includes multiple populations of different species interacting within a shared environment, excluding abiotic factors.