What is NOT an abiotic factor?

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which option is NOT an abiotic factor. So we are looking for the one that is biotic (living).

Step 2: Concept

• Abiotic factors are the non-living physical and chemical components of an environment, such as temperature, light, humidity, wind, water, pH, soil type and turbidity.
• Biotic factors are the living components of an environment, such as plants, animals, predators, parasites, decomposers and microorganisms.

Step 3: Check each option

• A. Humidity: the amount of water vapour in the air. It is non-living, so it is abiotic.
• B. Predators: animals that hunt and eat other animals. They are living organisms, so they are biotic.
• C. Temperature: the degree of hotness or coldness. It is a physical factor, so it is abiotic.
• D. Turbidity: the cloudiness of water caused by suspended particles. It is a physical property of water, so it is abiotic.
• E. Wind: moving air. It is a physical factor, so it is abiotic.

Step 4: Answer Only predators are living things, so they are not an abiotic factor.

Tip: Ask yourself, "Is it alive, or was it once alive?" If yes, it is biotic. If it is a physical or chemical condition (climate, water, soil, air), it is abiotic. Words like predator, parasite, producer, consumer and decomposer are always biotic.