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Biology · Unit 3 · Functioning ecosystems and succession · Functioning ecosystems and succession

Explain the competitive exclusion principle.

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Question 1

Two species of paramecium, *Paramecium aurelia* and *Paramecium caudatum*, were cultured in laboratory conditions. When grown separately in identical nutrient media, both species reached high population densities. When grown together in the same medium, *P. aurelia* population increased while *P. caudatum* population declined to zero by day 16. Use this information to explain the competitive exclusion principle.

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