Question

average frequencies of lp allele in four european regions
region *
austria
great britain
portugal
slovakia
iron age
7%
50%
9%
7%
modern - day
48%
73%
40%
48%

• referred to by the names of corresponding present - day nations

relatively high average levels of lactase persistence (lp) - which preserves the ability to digest lactose, or milk sugar, into adulthood - have typically been found in past and present populations in which milk, cream, and other dairy products are a major source of nutrition after infancy. using genetic data from archaeological sites in great britain (such as yarmton) and across continental europe, david reich, ali akbari, and colleagues studied average frequencies during europes iron age (700 - 1 bce) of the allele that confers this trait. in europeans, the researchers concluded that during that period, dairy products were likely a more important part of peoples diet in what is today great britain than they were in other parts of europe.
12 mark for review
which choice best describes data from the table that support the researchers conclusion?
a the reported average frequency of the lp allele during the iron age is much higher for great britain than it is for other parts of europe.
b the reported average frequency of the lp allele is 73% for great britain during the iron age, whereas the highest reported average frequency in any of the other european countries shown is 48%.
c the reported average frequency of the lp allele during the iron age in great britain is 50%.
d for each region, the reported average frequency of the lp allele is notably higher for modern times than it is for the iron age.

Explanation:

The table shows the average frequencies of the LP allele in different European regions during the Iron - Age and modern - day. The researchers concluded that dairy products were a more important part of people's diet in Great Britain during the Iron Age compared to other parts of Europe. This is supported by the fact that the reported average frequency of the LP allele during the Iron Age is much higher for Great Britain (50%) than for other parts of Europe (7% for Slovakia, 9% for Portugal, 7% for Austria).

Answer:

A. The reported average frequency of the LP allele during the Iron Age is much higher for Great Britain than it is for other parts of Europe.