The ability on an environment to support a population called its

Options

A. Biotic potential
B. Purifying capacity
C. Carrying capacity
D. Environmental resistance

Answer

To solve the question regarding the ability of an environment to support a population, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Question**: The question asks for the term that describes the ability of an environment to support a population.

2. **Identify the Options**: The options provided are:
- A) Biotic potential
- B) Purifying capacity
- C) Carrying capacity
- D) Environmental resistance

3. **Analyze Each Option**:
- **Biotic Potential**: This refers to the maximum reproductive capacity of an individual species under ideal environmental conditions. It does not directly relate to the support capacity of the environment.
- **Purifying Capacity**: This term generally refers to the ability of an environment to purify itself or to filter pollutants. It does not relate to population support.
- **Carrying Capacity**: This is the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can sustain indefinitely without degrading the environment. This directly answers the question.
- **Environmental Resistance**: This refers to the factors that limit the growth of a population, such as food availability, predation, and disease. It does not define the support capacity of the environment.

4. **Select the Correct Answer**: Based on the analysis, the correct answer is **C) Carrying Capacity**. This term specifically denotes the ability of an environment to support a population.

5. **Conclusion**: The ability of an environment to support a population is referred to as its carrying capacity.