What is the definition of a resource?

A resource is typically defined as a material or substance that can be utilized by living organisms to support their life processes, contribute to their well-being, or fulfill their needs. This encompasses a wide range of elements, including water, minerals, and vegetation, which all play essential roles in ecosystems and human activities.

The concept of resources implies that these materials are accessible for use, often renewable or non-renewable, depending on how they are managed and consumed. In this context, the option emphasizing that a material may be used by living things accurately captures the broad utility and significance of resources across different life forms.

Other options, such as the one that describes a material that can only be used once, fails to encompass the broader definition of resources, as many resources can be used multiple times or regenerated. Similarly, defining a resource as a necessity that does not satisfy basic needs does not align with the practical understanding of what a resource is; most resources are indeed linked to satisfying essential needs for survival and quality of life. Lastly, characterizing a resource as a process that harms the environment does not reflect the definition of a resource, as it misrepresents the constructive roles that many resources play when managed sustainably.