Which of the following factors is categorized as biotic?

• A. The amount of sunlight in an ecosystem
• B. The pH level of a lake
• C. The population of deer in a forest
• D. The temperature of the soil

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of biotic factors. Biotic factors refer to living components in an ecosystem, such as plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. These factors interact with each other and with abiotic factors (non-living components) to shape the ecosystem.
2. Step 2: Review the options provided in the problem. Identify which factors are living (biotic) and which are non-living (abiotic). For example, sunlight, pH level, and soil temperature are abiotic factors because they are non-living components of the environment.
3. Step 3: Focus on the option 'The population of deer in a forest.' Deer are living organisms, and their population represents a biotic factor because it directly involves living beings interacting within the ecosystem.
4. Step 4: Compare the biotic factor (population of deer) with the abiotic factors (sunlight, pH level, soil temperature) to confirm the distinction between living and non-living components.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is 'The population of deer in a forest,' as it is the only option that represents a biotic factor in the ecosystem.