Final answer:
Competition among individuals in terms of energy results in a gain for one individual and a loss for the other, which is represented by answer choice C.
Step-by-step explanation:
When assessing the impact of competition among individuals in terms of energy spent and/or gained, the outcome generally is that one individual benefits while the other suffers a loss. This aligns with answer choice C, which states that competition results in a gain for one individual and a loss for the other. The competitive process in an ecological or biological context often involves one individual securing a resource such as food or territory at the expense of another. This can be seen in scenarios where resources are limited, and individuals must compete to survive and reproduce. While the successful competitor gains energy or opportunity, the unsuccessful one may face starvation, injury, or an inability to reproduce, which are significant energy losses or lost opportunities.
The cost/benefit analysis applied here is a helpful tool to understand the dynamics of competition. In nature, organisms constantly engage in calculating the potential benefits of obtaining resources against the risks and costs involved in such activities. This behavior can be observed in predators deciding whether to pursue prey, animals engaging in mating rituals, or plants competing for sunlight.