British Columbia CORE Hunting Practice Exam

What is defined as the place where an organism lives?

1. Population

2. Habitat

3. Ecosystem

4. Biome

The correct answer is: Habitat

The term being referred to as the place where an organism lives is best defined as a habitat. A habitat encompasses the specific environment that supports the life needs of an organism, providing essential resources such as food, water, shelter, and mates for reproduction. This concept focuses not only on the physical characteristics of the environment but also on the interaction between the organism and its surroundings. In contrast, a population refers to a group of individuals of the same species living in a particular area, emphasizing interactions among individuals of that species rather than their living conditions. An ecosystem goes a step further, encompassing both the biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components of a particular area, including multiple habitats and the interactions among various species. A biome represents a larger ecological classification, characterized by similar climate, plants, and animals across broad geographic regions, but it does not pinpoint the specific living space of an individual organism. Hence, the definition of habitat accurately captures the essence of where an organism exists and thrives in its specific environment.