VAID'S ICS – Best UPSC Anthropology Coaching in Delhi Since 1985

Comprehensive Classroom Course · Admissions openRegister now
+91 93113 37737
  • +91-93113 37737, +91-99999 46748
  • 73(FF), Old Rajender Nagar Market, Delhi - 110060
  • MON to SUN 9.00 am - 6.00 pm
Facebook Youtube Instagram
Menu
Enquire Now
Home/Anthropology/Mains PYQ/2017/Paper I/Human Genetics & Human Biology
UPSC MainsAnthropology Optional Paper I 2017 10 Marks Model Answer Available

Age at Menarche — 2017 Paper I

Question · 2017 · Paper I · 10 Marks

Age at menarche

Model Answer

VAID ICS

Approach

  • Demand of Question:Define age at menarche and explain its biological, ecological and anthropological determinants and significance.
  • Structuring the Response:Define menarche; discuss genetic, nutritional, health and socio-economic influences; note secular trend and anthropological uses.
  • Key Dimensions to Cover:Pubertal maturation; Tanner; nutrition and energy balance; disease load; altitude; socio-economic status; secular trend; population variation.

Model Answer

Introduction Menarche refers to the onset of the first menstrual bleeding in a human female. It is a critical milestone in pubertal maturation, marking the beginning of female reproductive capacity, though usually, the first few cycles are anovulatory.

Body

Determinants of Age at Menarche: The timing of menarche is biocultural, governed by a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and socio-economic factors.

  1. Genetic/Biological Factors: Menarche is highly heritable; daughters typically reach menarche around the same age as their mothers.
  2. Nutritional Factors (Critical Fat Hypothesis): Rose Frisch theorized that a female body must achieve a critical threshold of body fat (approx. 17%) to trigger the hormonal cascade required for menstruation. Severe malnutrition delays menarche.
  3. Ecological and Environmental Stress:
    • Altitude: High-altitude hypoxia and associated cold stress are known to delay menarche (e.g., observed among Andean and Himalayan populations).
    • Disease Load: Chronic infectious diseases channel energy away from growth towards immune response, delaying puberty.
  4. Socio-Economic Status (SES): Girls in higher SES families typically experience earlier menarche due to better nutrition, lower physical labor, and access to healthcare.

Anthropological Significance:

  • The Secular Trend: Over the past century, anthropologists have documented a "secular trend"—a progressive decline in the average age of menarche (dropping from ~16 years in the mid-19th century to ~12.5 years today in industrialized nations) directly reflecting improvements in global nutrition and public health.
  • Life-History Theory: Menarche acts as a bio-indicator of a population's standard of living and is vital for demographic studies predicting fertility spans and population growth.

Conclusion Age at menarche is thus a sensitive bio-cultural indicator. While its fundamental timing is genetically programmed, its actual expression is deeply modulated by the ecological and nutritional constraints imposed by a population's socio-economic environment.

2026 Genetic polymorphism and natural selection. 2026 Numerical chromosomal aberrations can be due to abnormalities in autosomes as well as sex chromosomes. Elaborate in terms of the effects these have on human body, giving suitable examples. 2026 Distinguishing features of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. 2026 How would you find out that a particular disease/disorder is inherited and, if so, in which manner? Elaborate with suitable examples.

Want feedback on your answer?

Join the Anthropology workshop or get structured answer-writing guidance from VAID ICS.

Join Workshop Contact VAID ICS

UPSC Anthropology Optional 2017 — Paper I

28 questions

5(d) Age at menarche

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 11.1 Relevance of menarche, menopause and other bio-events to fertility
2017Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyModel answer available

5(e) Anthropology and designing of equipments

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 12. Applications of Anthropology > Anthropology in designing of defence and other equipments
2017Paper IApplied & Forensic AnthropologyModel answer available

5(c) Concept of race

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.5 Race and racism > Biological basis of racial classification
2017Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyModel answer available

5(a) Hardy-Weinberg law

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.3 Mendelian population and Hardy-Weinberg law
2017Paper IHuman Genetics & Human BiologyModel answer available

1(d) Non-verbal communication

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 7. Culture, language and communication > Verbal and non-verbal communication
2017Paper ICulture & SocietyModel answer available

1(e) Questionnaire

10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 8.3 Research Methods: Tools of data collection > Questionnaire
2017Paper IResearch Methods in AnthropologyModel answer available