A population is defined as all the members of a species inhabiting a given location. This means that it consists of individuals of the same species that live in a specific area and have the potential to interbreed.
To break it down further:
- Option a: refers specifically to one species in one location, which is the correct definition of a population.
- Option b: describes a community or ecosystem, as it encompasses multiple populations interacting in an area.
- Option c: goes even further, combining both living organisms and their physical surroundings into a complex system often referred to as an ecosystem.
In summary, when we talk about a population in ecological terms, we are specifically focusing on the individuals of the same species within a designated area.