How do adaptations help an organism reduce competition for food and other resources?

• A. By decreasing the organism's ability to find mates
• B. By making the organism more susceptible to predators
• C. By increasing the organism's reproductive rate
• D. By allowing the organism to exploit different ecological niches

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of adaptations: Adaptations are traits that have evolved over time to help an organism survive and reproduce in its environment. These can be physical traits, behaviors, or physiological processes.
2. Recognize the role of ecological niches: An ecological niche refers to the role an organism plays in its environment, including how it gets its food, how it interacts with other organisms, and how it survives. Different species can occupy different niches to reduce competition.
3. Identify how adaptations can reduce competition: Adaptations can allow an organism to exploit a specific niche that is not being used by others, thereby reducing direct competition for resources such as food, shelter, and mates.
4. Consider examples of niche differentiation: For instance, two bird species might live in the same area but feed on different types of insects or at different times of the day, reducing competition through their adapted feeding behaviors.
5. Conclude with the importance of adaptations in evolution: By allowing organisms to exploit different ecological niches, adaptations can lead to a more diverse ecosystem where multiple species can coexist without directly competing for the same resources.