Responses To Abiotic Components

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Abiotic Components
• Responses To Abiotic Factors

An ecosystem is a community or a group composed of biotic elements interacting with abiotic elements. Ecology is the study of the interaction of organisms in an area with their environment. The abiotic and biotic interactions maintain the equilibrium in the ecosystem.

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Let’s learn how biotic components adapt themselves to the changing abiotic components.

The abiotic components in an ecosystem include all the physical and chemical elements, which means the non-living components.  These components may differ from region to region, from ecosystem to ecosystem. They are mainly life supporters. They determine and restrict the population growth, number, and diversity of biotic factors living in that ecosystem. Hence, they are called limiting factors.

However, these components are not consistent, they fluctuate drastically over time. This can create stressful conditions for the biotic elements of the ecosystem. The abiotic factors can influence the number and type of biotic components in an ecosystem. Hence, it is necessary to learn to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Also Read: Biotic And Abiotic

There are various ways in which living things or an organism respond to the various abiotic components. They include the following:

1. Regulators – It is the mechanism used by organisms to maintain a constant condition in the body. For example, humans have the ability to maintain homeostasis in terms of body temperature. Humans try to maintain a temperature of 37°C by sweating in hot weather and shivering in colder weather.
2. Conformers – Most organisms do not have the ability to regulate their body condition and they have a fluctuating bodily conditions as per the environment. They are called conformers.
3. Migrate – Some organisms travel to far-off places during a particular weather condition and return when the weather condition is restored. For example, birds from Siberia migrate to the southern countries during winter to avoid the cold weather.
4. Suspend – Some organisms have different mechanisms to escape the harsh environment – for instance, some bacteria produce spores which are able to withstand the extreme conditions. Similarly, a bear going to hibernation during winter is another example.
5. Diapause– It is the natural interruption or the cause of delay in the development of certain animals characterised by alterations in their metabolic activity. This type of natural interruption during an adverse environmental is common in most insects, parasites, crabs, shellfish,  snails, and in certain other animal groups of zooplankton.

Stay tuned with BYJU’S to learn more about abiotic components and the responses towards abiotic factors.