Competition among individuals of a population increases the

Analyze the question: It asks what competition among individuals of the same population (intraspecific competition) leads to or increases.

Concept: Individuals of the same species compete for limited resources such as food, water, space, mates and light. Since resources are limited, not all individuals can get enough. Those with favourable traits (stronger, faster, better adapted) win the resources, survive and reproduce, while weaker ones die or fail to reproduce. This is the basis of natural selection, often described as "survival of the fittest."

Step-by-step evaluation of the options:

• A. Number of organisms: Competition usually reduces or limits population growth, because resources become scarce and some individuals die. So this is wrong.
• B. Availability of nutrient supplied: Competition uses up nutrients and lowers their availability per individual. It does not increase supply. Wrong.
• C. Survival of the fittest: Competition acts as a selective pressure, so the best-adapted individuals survive. This matches the concept of natural selection. Correct.
• D. Enlargement of the territory: Competition may push some individuals to move elsewhere, but it does not enlarge the territory itself. Wrong.

Answer: The correct option is C. Survival of the fittest.

Exam tip: When you see "competition" in a biology question, think of limited resources → struggle for existence → survival of the fittest. Options that suggest an increase in resources or numbers are usually distractors.