Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,...
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Question
Using evidence from the text, what factors influenced the survival of humans during the bubonic plague? Please explain in 1 to 2 sentences
DO NOT COPY FROM THE INTERNET!!!USE THE TEXT!!!

Transcribed Image Text:Scientists are able to describe how contagious a disease is by measuring the R, (the
reproduction number) of a pathogen. This number tells us the average number of
people that one infected person will likely infect.
The R, of Common Diseases
Disease
Type of Pathogen
R.
Common cold
virus
2
Cholera
bacteria
9.5
Influenza (Flu)
virus
1
Rabies
virus
10
Bubonic Plague
bacteria
3.5

Transcribed Image Text:The Black Death
The Black Death, also called Bubonic Plague, was a devastating disease that killed
almost 50% of the population of Europe, and nearly one-fifth (%) of the world's
population in the 1300's. At that time, most of Europe was ruled by a feudal system, in
which a wealthy upper class owned much of the land, and poorer peasants farmed
the land. The population of cities was also increasing at this time, but these Medieval
cities did not have modern facilities that help maintain hygienic (clean) conditions for
the inhabitants. For example, it was common practice for people to throw garbage and
human waste directly into the streets.
Population of Medieval Europe
Percent
Population in
millions
Year
increase
1100
62.1
10
1200
68
9.5
1300
78.7
15.7
1400
78.1
-0.8
The Black Death occurred in the late 1340's
Scientists have studied ancient skeletons from the Medieval period in Europe to better
understand what might have happened during the plague. According to one such
scientist, Dr. Sharon DeWitte, many of the people that died from the Black Death were
elderly, frail, and malnourished. Based on an analysis of over 700 skeletal remains,
"the disease apparently removed the weakest individuals on a very broad scale over
much of Europe, whether their frailty was due to poor immune systems, prior disease,
or malnutrition."
The Black Death is caused by a bacterium called Yersinia pestis. Bacteria are
microscopic organisms that live everywhere in our environment, as well as on and
inside our bodies. Most bacteria are actually harmless, or even beneficial. However,
some like Yersinia pestis, are pathogenic (cause disease). Yersinia pestis is often
found in rodents like rats. Rats, which were common in Medieval cities, often had
fleas on them. The fleas bit the rats, then jumped onto humans and bit them, which
spread the disease to humans. Once the disease was in a person it was often able to
spread from person to person through body fluid and coughing. Once inside the body,
the bacteria quickly multiply and damage tissues in the lymphatic and respiratory
systems causing fever, vomiting, and large boils on the body.
Rat contracts the bacterium Yersinia Pestis
Flea ps on at and bies
and ha od n s
mouth
Flea jumps on human and
bites mixing rat and
human blood and giving
human Yersinis Pestis
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