A group of interacting populations in a particular habitat can be described as

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the term used for a group of interacting populations living in a particular habitat. The key phrase is "interacting populations", which means different species living and interacting together.

Step 2: Explain the concept (ecological hierarchy) From smallest to largest:

• Individual: a single organism
• Population: a group of individuals of the same species in an area
• Community: all the different populations (plants, animals, microbes) interacting in a habitat
• Ecosystem: the community plus the non-living (abiotic) environment, such as soil, water, and climate
• Biome: a large region defined by climate and vegetation (e.g. tropical rainforest, savanna)
• Biosphere: all parts of Earth where life exists

Step 3: Check each option

• A. Biome: too large, a major regional ecological zone. ✗
• B. Biosphere: the whole living part of Earth. ✗
• C. Community: all interacting populations in a habitat. ✓
• D. Ecosystem: includes the non-living factors as well, so it is more than just the populations. ✗
• E. Environment: the surroundings, both living and non-living. ✗

Step 4: Answer A group of interacting populations in a particular habitat is a community, which is option C.

Exam tip: Remember the pattern "Community = Creatures only". Once you add the non-living things (soil, water, air), it becomes an ecosystem. Also, "population" means one species, while "community" means many species.