SQA National 5 Biology Practice Exam 2025 - Free National 5 Biology Practice Questions and Study Guide

The term that refers to the living and non-living components of a particular area is "ecosystem." An ecosystem encompasses all the organisms in a particular environment, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms, as well as the physical elements like air, water, and soil. This combination of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors interacts to form a system that can sustain life.

In contrast, other terms like population refer specifically to a group of individuals of the same species living in a certain area, while community refers to the interactions and relationships among different species within a specific area. Habitat, on the other hand, describes the natural environment where an organism lives but does not encompass the interactions or the entire system of biotic and abiotic components. Understanding these definitions is crucial for grasping the dynamics of ecological systems and the relationships they maintain.