Question

The Black Death was a pandemic spreading across Europe between 1348 and 1350. Estimates states that 30% to 60% of Europe's population died from the Black Death. If we look at Europe's population before the pandemic and compare it to the population several generations later, what are we likely to find?
A. More genetic diversity in later generations.
B. Less genetic diversity in later generations.
C. Less genetic diversity in earlier generations.
D. The same degree of genetic diversity in later as in earlier generations.

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is option B, that is, less genetic diversity in later generations.

Explanation:

A pandemic that spread across Europe between 1348 and 1350 was named as the Black Death. It has been predicted that of the total population of Europe at that time 30 to 60 percent died due to the pandemic. The geneticists are still trying to document the influence of Black Death on the population of Europe today.  

It has been found that in England, the genetic diversity is found much lower in comparison to what it was in the eleventh century, and is primarily due to so many people dying in the 1300s. However, the rest of Europe does not demonstrate a dropped amount of genetic variation, which maybe because of the enhanced patterns of migration in other places.