Final answer:
c) A relatively large, dense, and permanent settlement.
A relatively large, dense, and permanent settlement is the population type most likely to increase the spread of an infectious disease, due to high physiological population density and the potential for super-spreading events.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of population that is more likely to increase the spread of an infectious disease is c) A relatively large, dense, and permanent settlement. This scenario creates an ideal environment for pathogens, such as measles, which require a significant contiguous population to maintain their existence. Populations with high physiological population density, where many individuals live in close proximity, particularly in urban centers with agricultural communities, can experience conditions that are conducive to the rapid and widespread transmission of disease. Factors such as sanitation, public health measures, and urban planning all contribute to how diseases can spread within these populations. Historic and modern studies of epidemics, like the study of plague outbreaks, highlight how socio-economic status, occupation, and super-spreading events can influence the dynamics of disease transmission.