Syllabus: Paper I > 12. Applications of Anthropology > Anthropology of sports
Down’s Syndrome — 2015 Paper I
Question · 2015 · Paper I · 10 Marks
Down's Syndrome.
Model Answer
VAID ICSApproach
- Demand of Question: Explain the chromosomal basis, major phenotypic features and forms of Down syndrome.
- Structuring the Response: Define trisomy 21, explain mechanisms producing it, list characteristic manifestations and mention diagnosis.
- Key Dimensions to Cover: Chromosome 21, nondisjunction, translocation, mosaicism, maternal age, physical features, intellectual disability and prenatal diagnosis.
Model Answer
Introduction: Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder caused by the presence of additional genetic material from chromosome 21, most commonly resulting in trisomy 21.
The normal chromosome number is:
46 → Down syndrome commonly 47, +21
Major types
- Free trisomy 21: Usually produced by meiotic nondisjunction; it constitutes the great majority of cases.
- Translocation Down syndrome: Extra chromosome-21 material becomes attached to another chromosome, often through a Robertsonian translocation.
- Mosaic Down syndrome: Only some cells possess trisomy 21 because nondisjunction occurs after fertilization.
Characteristic features
Common manifestations include:
- characteristic facial appearance;
- epicanthic folds;
- flat facial profile;
- hypotonia;
- short stature;
- single transverse palmar crease in some individuals;
- varying degrees of intellectual disability.
Congenital heart defects and certain other medical problems occur with increased frequency.
Maternal age
Risk of meiotic nondisjunction increases significantly with advancing maternal age, although Down syndrome can occur at any maternal age.
Diagnosis may involve:
- prenatal screening;
- chorionic villus sampling;
- amniocentesis;
- chromosomal analysis.
Conclusion: Down syndrome is an important example of autosomal numerical chromosomal abnormality, illustrating the relationship between meiotic errors, genotype and human phenotypic development.
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UPSC Anthropology Optional 2015 — Paper I
28 questions7(a) What is an anthropometric somatotype ? Describe Heath and Carter's method of somatotyping.
20 Marks
Syllabus: Paper I > 10. Human growth and development > Human physique and somatotypes
1(a) Archaeological Anthropology.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.3 Main branches of Anthropology > Archaeological Anthropology
Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Postmodernism in Anthropology
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.4 Human Evolution and emergence of Man > Biological and cultural factors in human evolution
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.6 Phylogenetic status, characteristics and geographical distribution > Homo erectus
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.4 Chromosomes and chromosomal aberrations in man
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.4 Human Evolution > Theories of evolution > Darwinism
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.4 Family > Definition and universality of the family
Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Diffusionism and Evolutionism
5(e) DNA technology in Medicine.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 12. Applications of Anthropology > DNA technology in diseases and medicine
5(b) Down's Syndrome.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.4(c) Autosomal aberrations > Down syndrome
Syllabus: Paper I > 7. Culture, language and communication > Emic and etic perspectives
Syllabus: Paper I > 12. Applications of Anthropology > Forensic Anthropology > Personal identification
Syllabus: Paper I > 3. Economic Organization > Formalist and Substantivist debate
Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Symbolic and Interpretive Anthropology > Geertz and Turner
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.3 Concept of genetic polymorphism and selection
1(e) Historical Particularism.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Historical Particularism (Boas)
1(d) Horticulture.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 3. Economic Organization > Modes of subsistence > Horticulture
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.1 Human Genetics: Methods and Application > Immunological methods
1(c) Incest Taboos.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.3 Marriage > Rules of marriage > Incest taboo
5(c) Longitudinal method of studying growth.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 10. Human growth and development > Methodologies for growth studies > Longitudinal method
5(d) Menopause and its impact.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 11.1 Relevance of menarche, menopause and other bio-events to fertility
Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Classical Evolutionism > Morgan
5(a) Palaeolithic culture.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution: broad outlines of prehistoric cultures > Palaeolithic
7(b) Critically examine the physiological responses and acclimatization to cold climate in Man.
15 Marks
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.7 Man's physiological responses to environmental stresses > Cold climate
Syllabus: Paper I > 5. Religion > Theories of religion > Durkheim; sacred and profane; totemism
1(b) Society and Culture.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.2 The Nature of Society > Society and culture