AQA · Biology · 8461

GCSE Biology: Abiotic factors

Ecology · AQA GCSE Biology (8461), specification point 4.7.1.2. Cards are generated from the exam board's own specification for "Abiotic factors", and every card links back to the page it came from. Specification © AQA — used with attribution.

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  1. What is an abiotic factor?

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    A non-living factor in an environment that can affect a community (e.g. temperature, light intensity).

  2. Name three abiotic factors that can affect a community.

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    Any three of: light intensity, temperature, moisture levels, soil pH and mineral content, wind intensity and direction, carbon dioxide levels, oxygen levels.

  3. Which abiotic gas level is particularly important for plants?

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    Carbon dioxide levels — plants need CO₂ for photosynthesis.

  4. Which abiotic gas level is particularly important for aquatic animals?

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    Oxygen levels — aquatic animals need dissolved oxygen for respiration.

  5. Which two properties of soil are abiotic factors affecting a community?

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    Soil pH and mineral content.

  6. Which two aspects of wind act as abiotic factors on a community?

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    Wind intensity and wind direction.

  7. Is temperature a biotic or an abiotic factor?

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    Abiotic — it is a non-living factor.

  8. Is light intensity a biotic or an abiotic factor?

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    Abiotic — it is a non-living factor that affects the community (e.g. rate of photosynthesis in plants).

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