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Home/Anthropology/Mains PYQ/2014/Paper I/Human Genetics & Human Biology
UPSC MainsAnthropology Optional Paper I 2014 10 Marks Model Answer Available

Cross-sectional Methods of Studying Human Growth — 2014 Paper I

Question · 2014 · Paper I · 10 Marks

Cross-sectional methods of studying human growth

Model Answer

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Approach

  • Demand of Question: Explain the cross-sectional method used in growth studies and indicate its major advantages and limitations.
  • Structuring the Response: Define the method, describe procedure and applications, and briefly compare it with longitudinal study.
  • Key Dimensions to Cover: Age groups, single-time measurement, growth standards, population comparison, speed, cost and cohort limitation.

Model Answer

Introduction: The cross-sectional method studies human growth by measuring individuals of different age groups at a single point of time. Each age category consists of different subjects.

For example:

Age 5 group + Age 6 group + Age 7 group + Age 8 group → Growth pattern

Measurements may include:

  • stature;
  • weight;
  • sitting height;
  • skinfold thickness;
  • body proportions;
  • sexual maturation.

Advantages

  1. Large samples can be studied quickly.
  2. It is relatively inexpensive.
  3. Useful for constructing age-specific growth standards.
  4. Allows comparison between:
    • populations;
    • sexes;
    • socioeconomic groups.
  5. Suitable for nutritional and epidemiological surveys.

Limitations

  • It does not follow the same individual through time.
  • It cannot directly measure individual growth velocity.
  • Differences between age groups may partly reflect cohort effects.
  • Timing of individual growth spurts is difficult to determine.

Thus:

Cross-sectional method = Population growth pattern, not individual growth trajectory

Conclusion: The method is efficient for population-level assessment of growth, but longitudinal methods are superior for studying individual growth tempo and velocity.

2026 How would you find out that a particular disease/disorder is inherited and, if so, in which manner? Elaborate with suitable examples. 2026 What do you understand by fertility and mortality? How are these influenced by biological and socio-ecological factors? 2026 In what manner is our understanding of serogenetics and cytogenetics useful in reproductive biology? What are the major ethical issues involved in reproductive technology? 2026 Why the classifications of Indian populations, based on somatometric and somatoscopic characteristics failed to develop a common understanding of the population diversity?

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UPSC Anthropology Optional 2014 — Paper I

28 questions

5(d) Asian Homo erectus

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.6 Phylogenetic status, characteristics and distribution > Homo erectus in Asia
2014Paper IHuman Evolution & PrimatologyModel answer available

1(a) Double Descent

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.5 Kinship > Descent > Double descent
2014Paper IKinshipModel answer available

1(d) Ecological Anthropology

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.7 Concepts and methods of Ecological Anthropology > Bio-cultural adaptations
2014Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyModel answer available

5(c) Epidemiological Anthropology

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.8 Epidemiological Anthropology > Health and disease
2014Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyModel answer available

5(e) Fertility and Fecundity

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 11.3 Biological and socio-ecological factors influencing fecundity, fertility, natality and mortality
2014Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyModel answer available

1(b) Genealogical Method

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 8.3 Research Methods: Tools of data collection > Genealogy
2014Paper IResearch Methods in AnthropologyModel answer available

5(b) Genetic Counselling

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.4(d) Genetic screening, genetic counselling and human DNA profiling
2014Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyModel answer available