Why would a population of a higher number of people who are lactose tolerant
Added by David V.
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Lactose tolerance refers to the ability of individuals to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk, beyond infancy. This ability is due to the presence of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose. Show more…
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Why did 40% of the human population evolve to tolerate lactose?
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A majority of humans (approximately 70%) cannot digest milk after childhood (lactase nonpersistent, also known as lactose intolerant), while some are able to digest milk as adults (they are lactase persistent or lactose tolerant). In areas of the world where humans raised cattle (cows), more humans are lactase persistent. Use what you just learned about the effects of natural selection and construct an explanation for why there are now more lactose-tolerant humans living in areas of the world where there are more cows. *Hint: What are the benefits associated with being able to consume milk and dairy products?
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