In biology and environmental science, ecology is the branch that deals with the study of what exactly?

Introduction / Context:
Ecology is a foundational concept in biology and environmental science, and it frequently appears in general science and competitive examinations. While many learners loosely say that ecology is the ‘‘study of the environment’’, the precise definition is more specific. Ecology focuses on how organisms interact with one another and with the physical environment around them, covering relationships, energy flow and the structure of ecosystems.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The term to be defined is ‘‘ecology’’. • The question asks what ecology ‘‘deals with the study of’’. • Options mention environment, birds, organisms and their environment, and living beings.

Concept / Approach:
In standard biological terminology, ecology is defined as the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and their environment. This includes both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components, such as other organisms, climate, soil and water. Therefore, the best answer must include both organisms and environment, not just one of these aspects. Simply saying ‘‘environment’’ or ‘‘living beings’’ is incomplete because it ignores the interaction aspect that makes ecology unique.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recall the textbook definition: Ecology is the study of the relationships between organisms and their environment. 2. Compare this definition with the provided options. 3. Option A, ‘‘Environment’’, mentions only the surroundings and not the organisms themselves. 4. Option B, ‘‘Birds’’, is too narrow; it refers to ornithology, not ecology. 5. Option C, ‘‘Organisms and their environment’’, explicitly includes both the living organisms and their surroundings. 6. Option D, ‘‘Living beings’’, is incomplete because it does not highlight interactions or environmental context. 7. Therefore, the option that best matches the standard definition is ‘‘Organisms and their environment’’.
Verification / Alternative check:
Consulting any introductory biology or environmental science textbook confirms this meaning. Ecology is usually described as the study of interactions between organisms and the environment, including population dynamics, community structure, food chains, nutrient cycles and ecosystem functioning. All of these topics depend on both organisms and their surroundings, reinforcing that the correct choice must mention both.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, ‘‘Environment’’, describes the surroundings alone, which is more aligned with environmental science or environmental studies in a general sense. Option B, ‘‘Birds’’, is a specific group studied in ornithology, not ecology as a whole. Option D, ‘‘Living beings’’, overlaps with general biology or zoology and botany, but it fails to stress the interactions and environmental context that define ecology. Hence, these alternatives are either incomplete or too narrow.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes memorize vague statements like ‘‘ecology = study of environment’’ without including organisms or interactions, which leads to confusion in multiple-choice questions. Another pitfall is mixing up ecology with environmentalism, which is a social and political movement to protect the environment rather than a scientific field. Remember that ecology is a branch of science focused on understanding relationships and processes within ecosystems.

Final Answer:
Ecology deals with the study of organisms and their environment.