Which statement best describes a population in which there is competition for energy?

• A. Individuals in the population must compete for limited food resources.
• B. All individuals in the population have unlimited access to energy sources.
• C. The population size decreases because there are no predators.
• D. Each individual occupies a completely different ecological niche.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of competition within a population: Competition occurs when individuals in a population vie for limited resources, such as food, water, or shelter, which are necessary for survival and reproduction.
2. Analyze the first statement: 'Individuals in the population must compete for limited food resources.' This aligns with the definition of competition, as food is a common energy source that can be limited in availability.
3. Evaluate the second statement: 'All individuals in the population have unlimited access to energy sources.' This contradicts the concept of competition, as unlimited access would eliminate the need for competition.
4. Examine the third statement: 'The population size decreases because there are no predators.' While predators can influence population size, this statement does not directly address competition for energy within the population.
5. Assess the fourth statement: 'Each individual occupies a completely different ecological niche.' If individuals occupy distinct niches, competition for the same energy sources would be reduced, making this statement inconsistent with the concept of competition for energy.