Final answer:
The degree of fitness is based on the concept of relative fitness, which assesses an organism's survival and reproductive success compared to others in the same population, not on absolute terms such as being the strongest or fastest. The statement provided in the question is false; fitness involves various factors, including the ability to compete successfully and produce offspring.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the degree of fitness depends on the relative competitive position of partners and that the most problems emerge in alliances among challengers is false. In the field of biology, specifically in evolutionary biology, fitness refers to an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in a particular environment. The concept of relative fitness is significant as it helps scientists compare the success of different organisms in terms of passing their genes to the next generation within a population.
The strongest and fastest organisms are not always the most fit. Fitness encompasses the ability to survive to reproductive age, find a mate, and produce offspring. For example, in some seal species, the male that gets to mate is not always the largest or fastest, but rather the one who can successfully compete and survive long enough to reproduce. Therefore, relative fitness is the key measure for evolutionary success. Additionally, according to evolutionary theory, factors like variation of traits, competition for limited resources, and the fact that more offspring are produced than can survive are all essential in determining fitness within a population.