WAEC 2017 Biology · Question 8

The natural dwelling place of an organism is called its

Options

  1. A.ecological niche
  2. B.habitat
  3. C.population
  4. D.environment

Answer: B. habitat

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the term describing the natural dwelling place of an organism, which means the place where it lives.

Step 2: Explain the concepts

  • Ecological niche: The role or function of an organism in its ecosystem, including what it eats, when it is active, and how it interacts with others. It is about the organism's "job," not its address.
  • Habitat: The specific place where an organism naturally lives, such as a pond for a tilapia or a tree hole for a bat. It is the organism's "address."
  • Population: A group of organisms of the same species living in the same area at the same time.
  • Environment: The total surroundings of an organism, including living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) factors. It is broader than just a dwelling place.

Step 3: Match the definition "Natural dwelling place" is the textbook definition of a habitat.

  • A is wrong because a niche describes role, not location.
  • C is wrong because a population is a group of individuals.
  • D is wrong because the environment is all surrounding conditions, not specifically the place where the organism lives.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is **B.

Exam tip: Remember this: Habitat = Home address; Niche = Job/profession. If the question mentions a "place" or "where an organism lives," think habitat. If it mentions "role" or "way of life," think niche.

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