4x Ecologists study how relationships between biotic and abiotic factors impact the many levels of organization on earth. What level of organization is defined as a living thing that can function on its own with the ability to reproduce, respond to environmental stimuli maintain an internal environment, and metabolize food and excrete waste? A community B ecosystem C organism D population

## Step 1<br />The problem is asking us to identify the level of organization in ecology that is defined by the ability to reproduce, respond to environmental stimuli, maintain an internal environment, and metabolize food and excrete waste. These characteristics are indicative of an individual living entity, which is referred to as an organism in ecological terms.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />Let's analyze each option:<br />- A community refers to a group of different species living in the same area and interacting with each other. This does not match the description given in the problem.<br />- An ecosystem includes all the living things (plants, animals, and organisms) in a given area, interacting with each other, and also with their non-living environments (weather, earth, sun, soil, climate, atmosphere). This also does not match the description given in the problem.<br />- A population is a group of individuals of the same species living in the same area. This also does not match the description given in the problem.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />Based on the above analysis, the correct answer is C, organism.