Bacteria living in the soil are dependent upon which of the following abiotic factors?

• A. Earthworms
• B. Plant roots
• C. Temperature
• D. Fungi

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the key term 'abiotic factors,' which refers to non-living physical and chemical elements in the environment that affect living organisms.
2. Recognize that earthworms, plant roots, and fungi are all biotic factors because they are living organisms interacting with bacteria.
3. Understand that temperature is an abiotic factor because it is a non-living environmental condition that influences bacterial growth and activity in the soil.
4. Recall other examples of abiotic factors such as moisture, pH, and nutrient availability, which also affect soil bacteria but are not listed in this problem.
5. Conclude that among the given options, temperature is the correct abiotic factor upon which soil bacteria depend.