Question

natural selection.
which of the following statements provide support for the scientist’s claim?
choose 2 answers:
a dungeness crabs with stronger exoskeletons have higher rates of survival and reproduction than crabs with exoskeletons that have been weakened by ocean acidification.
b dungeness crabs are an important part of the diet for many people in the western united states and canada.
c all dungeness crabs have exoskeletons that protect their internal body parts.

Explanation:

To support a claim related to natural selection (implied by the context of the question), we analyze each option:

• Option A: Shows that a trait (stronger exoskeleton) related to survival and reproduction is affected by ocean acidification, which supports natural selection as traits affecting survival/reproduction are key in natural selection.
• Option B: Talks about the crab's importance in human diet, which is irrelevant to natural selection.
• Option C: Just states a general trait of Dungeness crabs, not related to natural selection or supporting a claim about it. So we need to check if there's another correct option (assuming the question's context about natural selection, maybe there's a missing option or a typo, but from given, A is correct and we assume another, but based on shown, A and let's re - check. Wait, maybe the original claim is about natural selection impact on Dungeness crabs. So A is correct as it shows differential survival/reproduction based on a trait. If we assume another correct (maybe a missing option, but from given, A and perhaps if there was another, but in the shown, A is correct and let's see:

Wait, the user's question is to choose 2 answers. Let's re - evaluate:

• Option A: Supports natural selection as it shows that crabs with a beneficial trait (stronger exoskeleton) have better survival/reproduction, which is a key aspect of natural selection.
• Option C: If the claim is about the role of exoskeleton in survival (related to natural selection), stating that all have exoskeletons that protect internal parts could be part of the basis (but it's a general statement). Wait, maybe the original claim is about how ocean acidification affects Dungeness crabs via exoskeleton. So A is correct. If we have to choose 2, maybe there's a mistake, but based on the given, A is correct and let's assume that maybe in the original problem, another option (maybe a missing one) but from the shown, A and perhaps if there was a D, but since not shown, maybe the user made a typo. But based on the given options, A is correct and let's proceed.

Answer:

A. Dungeness crabs with stronger exoskeletons have higher rates of survival and reproduction than crabs with exoskeletons that have been weakened by ocean acidification.
(Note: There seems to be a missing option or a typo as the question asks for 2 answers, but based on the provided options, A is correct. If there was another correct option, it's not fully shown in the provided text.)