Question

1. which term refers to any physical or chemical factor that influences the organisms in an ecosystem?

evolution
abiotic
adaptation
biotic

Explanation:

• Evolution: Refers to the change in the characteristics of a species over several generations and relies on the process of natural selection. It is not about physical or chemical factors.
• Abiotic: Abiotic factors are non - living chemical and physical parts of the environment that affect living organisms and the functioning of ecosystems. This matches the description in the question.
• Adaptation: A change by which an organism or species becomes better suited to its environment. It is a result of interaction with the environment (both biotic and abiotic) but not the physical/chemical factor itself.
• Biotic: Biotic factors are the living components of an ecosystem. They are organisms (plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, etc.) and not physical or chemical factors.

Answer:

abiotic