Which of the following terms best describes the concept of organisms that reproduce late and invest in few, well-protected offspring?

The concept of organisms that reproduce late and invest in few, well-protected offspring is best described by the term K-strategist. K-strategists are typically species that thrive in stable environments where the population size is close to the carrying capacity (K) of their habitat. These organisms tend to have longer life spans, reach sexual maturity later, and produce fewer offspring; however, they invest significant resources in the care and protection of their young.

This reproductive strategy enhances the survival of their offspring in competitive environments, allowing for better parental investment and higher survival rates of the young. Examples of K-strategists include elephants, humans, and many types of birds, which often raise their young until they are more independent and capable of surviving in the wild.

In contrast, the other terms describe different reproductive strategies. r-strategists, for instance, produce many offspring with little to no parental care, aimed at maximizing reproductive success in unstable or unpredictable environments. Semelparity refers to organisms that reproduce only once in their lifetime, while iteroparity involves multiple reproductive cycles throughout an organism's life. Each of these strategies fulfills different ecological niches and survival strategies, depending on environmental conditions.