Which area of study encompasses the physiological responses of organisms to their environment?

The correct choice is grounded in the definition and scope of ecology. Ecology is the branch of biology that deals with the interactions between organisms and their environment. This includes studying how organisms adapt to environmental changes, how they respond to various environmental stimuli, and how these responses affect their survival and reproduction.

For instance, when considering factors like temperature, availability of resources, or the presence of other organisms, ecologists examine how these elements shape the behavior, physiology, and evolution of species. Understanding these interactions is fundamental to ecology, as it helps to explain not just individual organism responses but also ecosystem dynamics and biodiversity.

In contrast, while physiology focuses on the functions and mechanisms of living organisms at a biological level, including cellular processes and organ systems, it does not specifically emphasize the organism's relationship to its environment. Ethology, on the other hand, is the study of animal behavior in natural conditions, which may include responses to the environment but is more narrowly focused on behavior rather than a broader ecological perspective. Entomology, the study of insects, while crucial for understanding a specific group of organisms, does not address the physiological responses of all organisms to their environments.

Thus, ecology is the most comprehensive field for examining how organisms interact with and respond to their