Final answer:
Multilevel selection/cooperation is observed in bacteria, plants, and humans. Cooperative behaviors optimize the usage of energy and matter in these living organisms. Examples of such cooperation range from biofilm formation in bacteria to social structures in human societies that increase resource efficiency.
Step-by-step explanation:
Multilevel selection/cooperation has been documented in all of the above: bacteria, plants, and humans. In biology, cooperative interactions among living organisms play a critical role in promoting efficiency in using energy and matter. For example, bacteria often engage in cooperative behaviors such as biofilm formation that enhance survival and resource utilization. Plants can engage in mutualistic relationships with fungi, known as mycorrhizae, which increase their nutrient uptake. Humans display cooperative behavior in societal structures, particularly in ecological phases associated with farming communities, where collective action can lead to more efficient uses of resources.
Competition and cooperation are key components of biological systems, as outlined in the concept of Enduring Understanding 4.B. This includes examples where organisms directly interact and compete for resources or cooperate to increase their chances of survival. For instance, the seeds of two plants landing near each other might compete for sunlight and nutrients, and only one may prevail, while two types of fish competing for food showcase the competitive aspect of biological interaction.
Moreover, the evolution of multicellularity is believed to have arisen from cooperative associations between single-celled organisms, supporting the idea that cooperation is foundational to the development of complex life forms.