Competence in Biology (Meaning and Explanation)

We explain what competence is in biology, examples and what apparent competence is. Definition of mutualism and predation.

Biological competition — Competition benefits only its winners and condemns its losers.

What is biological competence?

In biology, we talk about competition, that is, biological competence, to refer to a specific type of relationship between living beings, in which both adapt to the presence of the other trying to obtain the greatest amount of benefit from the resources available, that is, in which both compete for benefit, instead of collaborating for the mutual good.

These types of interactions can occur in terms of territory, food, water or even fertile couples to reproduce, either between individuals of the same species (intraspecific) or different species (extraspecific).

Whatever the case, this dynamic of competition benefits only its winners and condemns its losers to subalternity or, in the long run, to extinction. The latter is fundamental in evolution, since the pressure exerted by natural selection occurs under the principle of competitive exclusion: those suitable species survive and reproduce, and those that are not very or not suitable at all, however, become extinct.

Thus, there are different types of biological competence, such as:

Competition by interference An individual interferes, that is, hinders, prevents, the feeding, survival or reproduction process of another, through methods of violence. It also occurs when an individual denies another entry to its habitat or territory.
Competition by exploitation It is a type of indirect competition, which occurs when a limited and common resource between two individuals is the fruit of competition, causing benefit for one and scarcity for the other, whether it is food, living space or sunlight.
Apparent competition It occurs when two species are prey to a common predator, and compete for areas free of danger.

Examples of proficiency in biology

Biology proficiency — Dogs often compete for their territory by marking it with urine.

Some simple examples of biological competition are the following:

The males of many species of birds wear strikingly colored plumage, which they use during a complex mating dance. And since several males can claim the same female, they must compete for her, trying to attract her with their colors and movements, and thus preventing others from reproducing with her.
If we plant several plants in the same pot, we can observe how they compete every day for access to irrigation water and sunlight, even though this means that the other plants wilt and dry out. The winning plant will be able to grow more, taking away the resources for photosynthesis from the others.
Territorial animals, such as dogs, often compete for their territory, frequently marking it with their urine (and scent), and also attacking other dogs, especially males, who enter their territory without permission. This is the most common reason for our dogs to confront each other in the street when we take them for a walk.

Apparent competition

The apparent competition takes place between prey of the same predator and its name is due to the fact that its beneficial effects for a species are only temporary. This is explained as follows: suppose that a predator (shark) can feed on two different species (tuna and sea bream), and chooses one of them at a given time (sea bream). This would mean an apparent benefit for the other fish (tuna), which has been freed from its competitor and can therefore reproduce in its place.

Mutualism

Mutualism is a form of biological interaction contrary to the logic of competition since in it both species or both individuals benefit from interacting. It is a form of mutual and reciprocal help, similar to symbiosis, in which organisms cooperate.

A simple example of mutualism is the tolerance demonstrated by rhinos, hippos, and others. massive animals in the presence of certain wading birds on their backs. This is because birds devour any ticks, mites, fungi or algae that may grow in inaccessible regions of their body, thus doing them a favor by cleaning them off, but at the same time obtaining an easy and safe source of food.

Predation

Predation is the relationship that exists between predators and prey, that is, one in which One organism hunts another, in order to consume its meat and thus feed on it It is the usual way of feeding carnivorous animals, for example, which keeps the population of their prey at bay, avoiding overpopulation and preserving trophic balance, since predators are always larger and therefore less abundant than prey.

Predators, on the other hand, can also be prey for other larger predators transmitting matter and energy to higher trophic levels in the food pyramid.

You may be interested: Reproduction of Fungi

Other interspecific relationships

Parasitism - Competition - Mutualism — Parasitism occurs when one species benefits from another.

Other important interspecific relationships are:

Parasitism It occurs when one species benefits from another, consuming its bodily substances or using it in different stages of its reproductive cycle, but causing non-lethal damage in the process. For example, this is what happens when mosquitoes bite us to feed on our blood.
Commensalism. Similar to mutualism, it does not cause harm to any of those involved, but benefits only one species: the other is simply indifferent. This is what happens, for example, when an animal feeds on another's waste, without necessarily doing it a favor, but not necessarily doing it any harm.
Symbiosis. It is an extreme degree of mutualism, in which the two benefiting species learn to live so closely with each other that this relationship becomes essential for their survival. The classic example of this is the formation of lichens: physical unions of fungi and algae, in which one obtains food and the other obtains moisture.