The factor that contributed most to the exponential growth of the human population is:
a. more food, better hygiene
Explanation:
1. More food: The advancement of agriculture and technology led to increased food production, ensuring that more people had access to an adequate food supply. This resulted in better nutrition and overall health, allowing populations to grow.
2. Better hygiene: Improved sanitation practices and access to clean water reduced the spread of diseases, leading to lower mortality rates. As a result, more people survived into adulthood and had healthier lives, contributing to population growth.
Both of these factors, more food and better hygiene, played significant roles in supporting the exponential growth of the human population by increasing overall health and longevity, thus allowing for higher fertility rates and lower mortality rates.