What does the term 'biotic' refer to?

The term 'biotic' refers specifically to living components of an ecosystem. This includes all organisms such as animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms that interact with each other and their environment. Understanding the biotic factors is crucial in the study of ecology, as they play a significant role in the dynamics of ecosystems, including food webs, population dynamics, and biodiversity.

In contrast, the other options pertain to non-living aspects: 'non-living components' describes abiotic factors such as sunlight, water, and minerals; 'chemical substances' refer to compounds and elements that may be involved in biological processes but are not living entities themselves; and 'physical elements' encompass the structural components of the environment, such as landforms and climate, rather than the living organisms within that environment. Thus, recognizing biotic factors allows for a better understanding of how living organisms interact and influence one another in various habitats.