Competition — Definition & Examples

What's Competition?

It is the struggle of different organisms against each other to get the things they need.

What Kinds of Organisms Compete?

Competition happens between organisms of the same species and organisms of different species.

• Between members of the same species, it typically involves mating or territory.
• Between different species, it is often because they occupy similar niches and struggle to get resources.

Many organisms share the same environment and resources. If there are not enough resources to go around (water, food, shelter), organisms have to compete. As the number of organisms using the same resources increases, the more they have to compete with each other.

What Is An Example?

Here's a relatable example: Image that there's a game show where the winner gets a new house. All of the people who entered will compete against each other for the prize.

$$\color{#8925AE}{\text{Vocabulary Review:}}$$

$\color{#8925AE}{\text{Symbiosis}}$ : A close, long-term relationship between two species

$\color{#8925AE}{\text{Competition}}$ : How organisms compete for resources like food and water

$\color{#8925AE}{\text{Predator-Prey}}$ : The relationship between a predator and its prey

$\color{#8925AE}{\text{Mutualism}}$ : A relationship between two organisms that helps both of them

$\color{#8925AE}{\text{Commensalism}}$ : A relationship where one organism benefits and there's no effect on the other

$\color{#8925AE}{\text{Parasitism}}$ : A relationship where one organism benefits and the other organism is harmed

(Video) Competition in Animals

by I'm Stuck - GCSE and A-Level Revision

Simply put, competition is the act of competing. Rivalry exists because there are not enough resources in an environment to support every organism. It might help to think of it like a race. Everyone is trying to make it to the end first and win the prize. In biology, organisms are "racing" each other to get a certain resource that they need to live.

Competition is a relationship between organisms that has a negative effect on both of them. This can happen when two organisms are trying to get the same environmental resource like food or land. One common example is when organisms compete for a mate. When different species compete, it is a result of those species sharing parts of a niche.