Notes for D4.1.3 Overproduction of offspring and competition for resources - IB | RevisionDojo
D4.1.3 Overproduction of offspring and competition for resources Notes
Overproduction of Offspring and Competition for Resources Promotes Natural Selection
Overproduction of offspring is a universal strategy in nature.
Organisms produce more offspring than can possibly survive to adulthood.
This increases the likelihood that at least some will survive and reproduce.
Tip
Recall the common saying "survival of the fittest."
Overproduction is nature's way of ensuring only the best survive, constantly "improving" the population.
Reproductive Strategies Reflect Trade-Offs Between Offspring Quantity and Survival
Species vary greatly in their reproductive rates.
Some, like the southern ground hornbill, have a slow breeding cycle, raising only one chick every three years.
With a lifespan of up to 70 years, a pair may raise just 20 offspring in their lifetime.
Contrast this with the giant puffball fungus, which can release up to 7 trillion spores in a single season.
Coconut palms strike a middle ground, producing 20–60 coconuts annually.
These contrasting strategies show how overproduction depends on an organism's life history and ecological niche.
Southern ground horbill
Types of Resources
Food: Predators compete for prey, while plants compete for sunlight and nutrients.
Water: In arid environments, access to water can be a critical factor.
Shelter: Animals compete for safe nesting sites or territories.
Mates: Sexual selection drives competition for reproductive partners.
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Questions
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Question 1
Recap question
Which statement best captures how an environment’s carrying capacity is determined?
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Note
The Concept of Overproduction in Nature
Many organisms produce far more offspring than can possibly survive to adulthood.
This strategy increases the chances that at least some offspring will survive despite high mortality rates.
Overproduction leads to competition for limited resources, driving natural selection.
AnalogyThink of overproduction like buying extra lottery tickets - the more you have, the better your chances of winning (surviving).
DefinitionOverproductionThe production of more offspring than the environment can support, leading to competition and natural selection.
ExampleSea turtles lay hundreds of eggs, but only a few hatchlings survive to adulthood due to predation and environmental challenges.
NoteThis concept is fundamental to understanding how natural selection operates in populations.
TipWhen studying examples of overproduction, always consider the survival challenges faced by the species.
