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This situation, where organisms of the same or different species attempt to use the same resources in the same place at the same time, is referred to as:

A) Competitive exclusion
B) Mutualism
C) Commensalism
D) Niche overlap

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The correct term for when organisms compete for the same resources at the same time and place is referred to as 'competitive exclusion', which leads to one species outcompeting the other unless resource partitioning occurs.

Step-by-step explanation:

The situation described in the question, where organisms of the same or different species attempt to use the same resources in the same place at the same time, is referred to as niche overlap which leads to competition. However, the correct term that describes the eventual consequence of this competition if no evolution or speciation occurs is competitive exclusion, as per the Competitive Exclusion Principle. This principle implies that two species competing for the exact same resources cannot coexist indefinitely; eventually, one will outcompete the other unless they evolve to exploit different resources or aspects of the resources, which is known as resource partitioning.

Thus, the correct answer, considering the options provided, is A) Competitive exclusion. This principle is fundamental in understanding interspecific interactions and the structure of ecological communities, along with the importance of symbiosis and resource partitioning to reduce direct competition between species.

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