The term "exogenous" refers to factors or influences that originate from outside a system. In various fields, such as economics and biology, exogenous variables can affect outcomes but are not influenced by the system itself. For example, in economics, an exogenous shock could be a sudden change in government policy or a natural disaster that impacts the economy. In contrast, "endogenous" factors are those that arise from within the system. Understanding the difference between exogenous and endogenous influences is crucial for analyzing complex systems, such as ecosystems or market dynamics, as it helps identify the sources of change and their effects on overall behavior.