Select the most appropriate 'one word' for the expression given below.

The study of the relation of animals and plants to their surroundings, animate and inanimate.

Correct option is A

Explanation:

The correct answer is Ecology.

Ecology is the branch of biology that deals with the study of the relationship between living organisms (animals and plants) and their environment, including both the living (animate) and non-living (inanimate) components of the ecosystem.

It focuses on understanding how organisms interact with each other and with their surroundings.

Information Booster:

Ecology is a term derived from the Greek words "oikos" (house or environment) and "logos" (study). It is concerned with the study of ecosystems, biodiversity, and the interaction between living organisms and their environment.

The subject of ecology is important because it helps understand environmental issues such as climate change, habitat destruction, pollution, and the conservation of biodiversity.

Ecologists study various factors like food chains, nutrient cycling, the impact of human activity on ecosystems, and the adaptation of organisms to their environment.

Additional Knowledge:

Demography:

This refers to the statistical study of populations, especially human populations, regarding size, structure, distribution, and changes over time. 

Epigraphy:

Epigraphy is the study of inscriptions or written texts, particularly those carved into stone or metal. 

Ethnology:

Ethnology is the study of human cultures, societies, and ethnic groups. It focuses on social and cultural aspects of human life.