Question:

Given below are two statements: 

Statement I: Gause’s ‘Competitive Exclusion Principle’ states that two closely related species competing for the same resources cannot co-exist indefinitely and competitively inferior one will be eliminated eventually. 
Statement II: In general, carnivores are more adversely affected by competition than herbivores. 

In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Updated On: May 2, 2025
  • Both Statement I and Statement II are false.

  • Statement I is correct Statement II is false.

  • Statement I is incorrec but Statement II is true.

  • Both Statement I and Statement II are true.

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The Correct Option is B

Approach Solution - 1

The problem requires an evaluation of two given statements based on the principles of ecology.

Statement I: According to Gause’s ‘Competitive Exclusion Principle’, no two species that make their living in the same way can coexist indefinitely in an unchanging environment. If two species occupy the same niche, the inferior competitor will be eliminated. This makes Statement I correct.

Statement II: This statement suggests that carnivores face more severe competition than herbivores. Generally, competition affects each organism type differently depending on the specific ecological context rather than universally impacting carnivores more than herbivores. Therefore, Statement II is false.

In conclusion, the correct answer is: Statement I is correct Statement II is false.

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Approach Solution -2

Statement I accurately represents Gause's Competitive Exclusion Principle, which states that when two closely related species competing for the same resources in the same environment, one species will eventually outcompete the other, leading to the elimination of the competitively inferior species.

However, Statement II is not generally true. In many cases, herbivores can be more adversely affected by competition than carnivores. The effect of competition can vary depending on the specific ecological context, availability of resources, and other factors.

Therefore, The correct option is (B): Statement I is correct Statement II is false.

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Questions Asked in NEET exam

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Concepts Used:

Ecosystem

An ecosystem is a structural and functional unit of ecology where the living organisms come in to interact with each other and the surrounding environment.

Structure of the Ecosystem:

The structure of an ecosystem is distinguished by the organization of both biotic and abiotic components. This involves the distribution of energy in our environment. It also comprises the climatic conditions prevailing in that particular environment. 

There are two main components of the structure of an ecosystem, namely: 

  • Biotic Components
  • Abiotic Components

The biotic and abiotic components are interconnected in an ecosystem. It is an open system where the energy and components can flow through the boundaries.