Question: 176. Given below are two statements:
Statement I : Gause’s competitive exclusion principle states that two closely related species competing for different resources cannot exist indefinitely.
Statement II : According to Gause’s principle, during competition, the inferior will be eliminated. This may be true if resources are limiting.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below.
(1) Both Statement I and Statement II are true
(2) Both Statement I and Statement II are false.
(3) Statement I is true but Statement II is false.
(4) Statement I is false but Statement II is true.
Answer: Option (4)
Explanation:
Statement I is false because Gause’s competitive exclusion principle states that two closely related species competing for the same limited resources cannot coexist indefinitely.
If the resources are different, both species can coexist.
Statement II is true because according to Gause’s principle, when two species compete for the same limiting resources, the competitively inferior species is eliminated.
Hence, Statement I is false but Statement II is true,
making Option (4) the correct answer.