In microbiology, is bacteria considered an abiotic or a biotic component of an ecosystem?

• A. Neither, because bacteria are not part of ecosystems.
• B. Biotic, because bacteria are living organisms.
• C. Abiotic, because bacteria are inorganic nutrients in the environment.
• D. Abiotic, because bacteria are nonliving chemical factors.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definitions: Biotic components are living organisms in an ecosystem, while abiotic components are nonliving physical and chemical factors.
2. Recall that bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that carry out life processes such as metabolism, growth, and reproduction.
3. Since bacteria are living organisms, they interact with other living and nonliving parts of the ecosystem, contributing to nutrient cycles and energy flow.
4. Therefore, bacteria are classified as biotic components because they are living entities within ecosystems.
5. Eliminate options that describe bacteria as abiotic, since abiotic factors are nonliving and bacteria do not fit this category.