What does the term "abiotic" refer to?

The term "abiotic" refers specifically to components of the environment that are not associated with life. This includes non-living elements such as water, air, minerals, sunlight, and temperature. These factors are crucial in understanding ecosystems, as they influence the living organisms (biotic factors) within that environment. Recognizing abiotic factors is essential in ecology because they affect the distribution and behavior of organisms, as well as the overall health of ecosystems.

By identifying "no life" as the correct answer, it emphasizes that abiotic factors are devoid of any biological aspects, contrasting with biotic factors, which pertain to the living components of an ecosystem. The other options, while related to concepts in biology and ecology, do not accurately define the term "abiotic."