Grade 10 Biology Week 3 Lesson 2

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
SECONDARY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME

GRADE 10
BIOLOGY
Week 3 Lesson 2
Topic: Ecology
Sub-topic: Biotic and Abiotic Factors
Objectives: After reading the handout, students will:
- correctly list at least five abiotic factors found in the environment
- correctly differentiate between biotic and abiotic factors,
- explain clearly how organisms interact with the non- living elements
of their environment
- clearly state the importance of the abiotic factors in the environment
Content
- Biotic and abiotic are the two essential factors responsible for shaping
the ecosystem.
- The abiotic factors refer to all the non-living components, that is the
chemical and physical factors present in the atmosphere, hydrosphere,
and lithosphere.
- Sunlight, air, precipitation, minerals, and soil are some examples of
abiotic factors. These factors have a significant impact on the survival
and reproduction of species in an ecosystem.
- For instance, without an adequate amount of sunlight, autotrophic
organisms may not be able to survive. When these organisms
eventually die, it will create a shortage of food for primary consumers.
This effect cascades up the food chain, affecting every organism.
Consequently, it leads to an imbalance in the ecosystem.
Abiotic factors
Abiotic factors are the non-living parts of the environment that can often have a major influence
on living organisms. Abiotic factors include water, sunlight, oxygen, soil and temperature.
Water (H2O) is a very important abiotic factor – it is often

said that “water is life.” All living organisms need water.
Plants must have water to grow. Even plants that live in the
desert need a little bit of water to grow. Without water,
animals become weak and confused, and they can die if they
do not rehydrate. Think of how you feel after you take a long
run. Do you feel thirsty? This is your body signaling to you
that you must rehydrate.
Sunlight is the main source of energy on Earth, which makes it an

extremely important abiotic factor. Sunlight is necessary for
photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert carbon
dioxide (CO2) and water to oxygen (O2) and sugar – food for the
plants that later becomes food for animals. Without the sun, plants
could not live, and without plants, animals could not live! The
sun’s heat is also extremely important.
Like water, oxygen (O2) is another important abiotic factor for many living organisms. Without
oxygen, humans would not be able to live! This is true for the many other living organisms that
use oxygen. Oxygen is produced by green plants through the process of photosynthesis and is
therefore directly linked to sunlight.
Soil is often considered an abiotic factor since it is mostly made up of
small particles of rock (sand and clay) mixed with decomposed plants
and animals. Plants use their roots to get water and nutrients from the
soil. Soils are different from place to place – this can be a big factor
in which plants and animals live in a certain area.
Temperature is an abiotic factor that is strongly influenced by sunlight. Temperature plays an

important role for animals that cannot regulate their own body temperature, such as reptiles.
Unlike humans, whose normal body temperature is usually around 98.6F, reptiles (such as
snakes and lizards) cannot maintain a constant body temperature. Reptiles are usually found in
warm regions around the planet. To regulate their body temperatures, reptiles will sun
themselves on rocks, which absorb heat from sunlight and then radiate heat back into the
environment.
Comparing Biotic and Abiotic Factors
Basis for comparison Abiotic factors Biotic Factors
Examples Sunlight, temperature, energy, Plants, trees, animals,
wind, water, soil, etc. microorganisms, etc.
Dependency Abiotic factors do not depend Biotic factors depend on
on biotic factors for their abiotic factors for their
survival. survival
Limiting factors Due to changes in the abiotic Due to any uncertain changes
factors, it may sometimes in particular species, may
limit the growth and bring changes in the other
development of a particular species also, which directly or
species or their population or indirectly bank on them.
sometimes may hamper the
entire ecosystem.
Approach towards changes These factors do not change. These factors can adapt to the
changes, to survive.
Home-work
Discuss the result of the following:
- What would happen to plants and animals if the sun stops shining?
- What would happen to plants and animals if the sun shines

continuously and is very hot every day
- What would happen if the rain falls continuously for a very long time?
- What would happen if the rain does not fall for a very long time?
Reference
Khan Academy (n.d). Introduction to ecology review. Retrieved from
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs-ecology/hs-introduction-
to-ecology/a/hs-introduction-to-ecology-review
Sapkota, A. (2020). 10 differences between Biotic and Abiotic Factors. Retrieved from
https://microbenotes.com/biotic-vs-abiotic-factors/
Yavorski, K. (2018). The Definition of Abiotic and Biotic Factors. Retrieved from
https://sciencing.com/definition-abiotic-biotic-factors-8259629.html

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MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

SECONDARY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME

Water (H2O) is a very important abiotic factor – it is often

Sunlight is the main source of energy on Earth, which makes it an

Temperature is an abiotic factor that is strongly influenced by sunlight. Temperature plays an

- What would happen to plants and animals if the sun shines

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