Grade 8 Biology Practice Exam – Free Practice Test, Prep & Study Guide

Biotic factors are the living components of an ecosystem that influence the environment and the interactions among organisms. Plants and animals are prime examples of biotic factors because they are alive, interact with each other, and play crucial roles in their ecosystems. They contribute to various ecological processes such as food webs, pollination, and competition for resources.

In contrast, options like soil composition, temperature, and water availability represent abiotic factors. These are the non-living aspects of the environment that affect living organisms but do not involve biological processes. Soil composition affects nutrient availability, temperature influences metabolic rates of organisms, and water availability is crucial for survival, but none of these factors are considered biotic. Therefore, recognizing plants and animals as the correct choice highlights the importance of living entities in the study of ecosystems.