competition (biology) – the fight for resources in limited supply between organisms

(Pronounced kom-puh-tih-shun)

To remember the meaning of competition (biology), use the following mnemonic:

In a competition a group of boys and girls fight over who will win the food in a tug of war.

Competition in biology refers to the struggle between organisms for limited resources that are essential for survival and reproduction. This can occur between individuals of the same species or between different species. Organisms compete for various resources including food, water, shelter, light, mates and territory. Competition is a key factor in natural selection because individuals that are better adapted to compete successfully are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their advantageous traits to their offspring. This process helps drive evolution and influences population sizes, as intense competition can limit population growth when resources become scarce.