Question

An ecosystem includes
(a) All living organisms
(b) Non-living objects
(c) Both living organisms and non-living objects
(d) Sometimes living organisms and sometimes non-living objects

Answer 1

Hint: An ecosystem is a functional unit and is interconnected by an ongoing flow of energy and cycling of nutrients between all of the associated components.

Complete answer:
An ecosystem is a functional unit comprising all the organisms in a particular place interacting with one another and with their physical environment. Thus, an ecosystem is an interacting system made up of all living and non-living objects in a specified volume of space. It is visualized as a functional unit of nature.

Additional Information:
Ecosystem consists of various non-living, abiotic, and living, biotic components. The various physical and chemical factors are the abiotic components of an ecosystem. The physical factors having the greatest effect on the ecosystem are: light, temperature, precipitation, air, soil, fire and water. However, the chemical factors are: pH, salinity, nutrient content, moisture content (for terrestrial ecosystem), amount of toxic substances and level of dissolved oxygen (in aquatic ecosystems). The organisms of the biotic component of an ecosystem are classified based on whether they can synthesize their own food or organic nutrients to survive as autotrophs (can make their food) and heterotrophs(can not make their food).

So, the correct answer is ‘Both living organisms and non-living objects’.

Note:
1. The term ecosystem was coined by A.G. Tansley in 1935. 2. All ecosystems are open systems that allow energy and matter to be transferred in and out.