D4.1.3—Overproduction and competition
Overproduction of offspring creates competition for limited resources, so individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Objective
- D4.1.3
- Level
- SL
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing3%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2019
Most common paperPaper2
Typical marks1–3
Common command terms
- Outline
- Identify
- State
- Explain
Recent exam appearances
November 2019Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ04(b)[ 3 ]D4.1.3—Overproduction and competition
November 2019Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ04(a)[ 1 ]D4.1.3—Overproduction and competition
May 2017Paper1 ["SL"] · TZ221[ 1 ]D4.1.3—Overproduction and competition
May 2013Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ23(b)[ 4 ]D4.1.3—Overproduction and competition
May 2012Paper1 ["SL"] · TZ122[ 1 ]D4.1.3—Overproduction and competition
Practice this objective
Coverage 2012–2019 · Updated 16 Jul 2026
Concept essentials
- Overproduction means not all offspring survive to reproduce.
- Limited resources create competition among individuals.
- Competition makes advantageous heritable traits more likely to spread.