Which of the following statements best describes the role of competition in the process of adaptation?

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks how competition relates to adaptation. Think of Darwin's natural selection: organisms compete for limited resources like food, water, mates and space.

Step 2: Explain the concept

• Individuals in a population show variation.
• Resources are limited, so individuals compete.
• Those with traits better suited to the environment (favorable traits) are more likely to survive and reproduce. This is natural selection.
• They pass these traits to their offspring, so over generations the population becomes better adapted.

Step 3: Evaluate each option

• A. Correct. Competition acts as a selection pressure. It favors individuals with advantageous traits, who survive and reproduce more.
• B. Wrong. Competition does not distribute resources equally. Stronger or better-adapted individuals usually get more.
• C. Tempting but wrong. Competition does not create new traits. New traits arise from random mutation and genetic recombination. Competition only selects among traits that already exist.
• D. Wrong. Competition increases the need for adaptations, and organisms do not simply coexist peacefully when resources are scarce.

Step 4: Answer The role of competition is selection, not the creation of variation.

Exam tip: Remember "Mutation makes, selection takes." Mutation creates new traits, while competition and the environment select which ones survive. If an option says competition "produces" or "causes" new traits, be suspicious.