What is the study of the interactions between living organisms and their environment called?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. Ecology.
Ecology is defined as the scientific study of the interactions between living organisms and their environment, including both biotic (living) and abiotic (non‑living) components It examines how organisms are distributed, how they interact with each other and with their physical surroundings, and how energy and matter move through ecosystems. By analysing these relationships at multiple levels—from individuals to populations, communities, and ecosystems—ecology helps us understand biodiversity, habitat dynamics, and the impacts of human activities on natural systems.
Other options:
-
Geology: The study of Earth's physical structure, materials, processes (like plate tectonics, rocks, minerals), not primarily the interaction of living organisms with the environment.
-
Chemistry: The branch of science concerned with substances, their properties, composition, reactions, and transformations—not specifically focused on organisms and their environmental interactions.
-
Biology: The broad study of living organisms, their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution; while it includes environment‑related aspects, it does not specifically focus on interactions of organisms with their entire environment in the way ecology does.