Question

Which of the following statement(s) correctly describes how competition is different from all the other forms of symbiosis?

In competition, members of the same species may compete with each other for resources.

In competition, one species is always displaced.

In competition, members of the same species do not compete with each other for resources.

In competition, both species always benefits.

In competition, species can coexist as long as resources are plentiful.

Answer 1

Correct answers: 1 and 5.

- 1 is true: competition can be intraspecific (members of the same species compete), which distinguishes it from the usual interspecific nature of other symbiotic interactions.
- 5 is also true: if resources are not limiting (are plentiful) competitive pressure is reduced and species can coexist; the competitive exclusion principle applies only when resources are limiting.

The others are false: competition does not always displace one species (coexistence or niche partitioning can occur), members of the same species do compete (contradicts 3), and competition does not benefit both species (it is typically a negative–negative interaction).