Chapter 2, Problem 10A

Summary Introduction

To analyze:

Two abiotic factors that affect the environment.

Introduction:

Abiotic factors are nonliving factors in the environment, which influence the life of living organisms. Abiotic factors are sunlight, water, oxygen, soil, and temperature.

Explanation of Solution

Oxygen is the most important abiotic factor for living organisms. Living organisms are not able to survive without oxygen. Atmospheric oxygen is inhaled and carbon dioxide is released out into the environment. The green plants produce oxygen by the process of photosynthesis in the presence of sunlight.

Temperature is an abiotic factor that influences the sunlight. Temperature is very important for living organisms that cannot maintain their body temperatures, such as humans and reptiles. The normal temperature of the human body is approximately 98.6 Fahrenheit.

Snakes and lizards (Reptiles) cannot maintain their body temperature constantly because they live in a warm place. To maintain their body temperature, they absorb heat from sunlight then release heat into the environment.

Conclusion

Thus, oxygen and temperature are the most important abiotic factors which can alter the life of living organisms.