Which term describes non-living environmental influences such as temperature, salinity, and light that shape ecological interactions?

• A. Physical Factor
• B. Nutrient
• C. Osmosis
• D. Oceanic Zone

Answer: (A)

Physical factors are non-living environmental conditions that influence ecological interactions. Temperature, salinity, and light are classic examples. They affect metabolism, osmoregulation, photosynthesis, and visibility, which in turn shape where species can live, how fast they grow, and how they interact with others. This term best captures these broad, non-living influences, unlike nutrients (chemical resources), osmosis (a physiological process), or an oceanic zone (a spatial area).