Question

check all statements below that are true.
□ all organisms must compete for survival.
□ when organisms struggle to survive, they usually mutate to increase chances of reproduction.
□ some organisms have phenotypes that make them better competitors than others in their environment.
□ animals undergo natural selection, but plants and other organisms generally do not.
□ natural selection continues to occur even today.
□ phenotypes found in the most successful members of a species become the most prevalent after several generations.
□ a decrease in food availability will increase the variation in a population.
done

Explanation:

1. "All organisms must compete for survival" – In ecosystems, resources (food, space, mates) are limited, so organisms compete. True.
2. "When organisms struggle to survive, they usually mutate to increase chances of reproduction" – Mutations are random, not a direct response to struggle. False.
3. "Some organisms have phenotypes that make them better competitors than others in their environment" – Phenotypic variation leads to differential survival/competitive ability. True.
4. "Animals undergo natural selection, but plants and other organisms generally do not" – All living organisms (plants, bacteria, etc.) are subject to natural selection. False.
5. "Natural selection continues to occur even today" – Environments change (e.g., climate, human impact), so selection pressures persist. True.
6. "Phenotypes found in the most successful members of a species become the most prevalent after several generations" – Successful phenotypes (higher fitness) are passed on, increasing in frequency over time. True.
7. "A decrease in food availability will increase the variation in a population" – Reduced food increases competition, which selects for existing favorable traits (decreases variation, or shifts it), not increase variation. False.

Answer:

• All organisms must compete for survival
• Some organisms have phenotypes that make them better competitors than others in their environment
• Natural selection continues to occur even today
• Phenotypes found in the most successful members of a species become the most prevalent after several generations