5(d) Anthropometry in ergonomics.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > Applications of Anthropology > Ergonomics > Anthropometry
Nuclear and Mitochondrial DNA: Distinguishing Features — 2026 Paper I
Question · 2026 · Paper I · 10 Marks
Distinguishing features of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA.
Model Answer
VAID ICSApproach
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Model Answer
Introduction: Humans possess a large nuclear genome and a small mitochondrial genome. Their different Answer structure and Flows and inheritance patterns give them different uses in biological anthropology and population genetics.
| Feature | Nuclear DNA | Mitochondrial DNA |
| Location | Nucleus; 23 chromosome pairs | Mitochondria in cytoplasm |
| Answer structure and Flow | Linear chromosomes; ~3.2 billion bp haploid genome | Small circular molecule; ~16.6 kb |
| Genes | Vast majority of human genes | 37 genes—13 proteins, 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs |
| Inheritance | Biparental for autosomes | Predominantly maternal |
| Recombination | Extensive during meiosis | Generally treated as non-recombining for lineage studies |
| Copy number | Usually two copies per autosomal locus in diploid cells | Many molecules per cell |
| Variation | Genome-wide ancestry/admixture | Maternal haplogroups; heteroplasmy can occur |
Anthropological significance:
- Nuclear DNA samples ancestry across thousands of loci and is powerful for admixture, kinship, population history and selection.
- mtDNA’s high copy number historically made it easier to recover from degraded bone, teeth or hair, giving it major importance in ancient-DNA and forensic studies.
- Maternal inheritance permits reconstruction of maternal lineages.
However, mtDNA traces only one maternal genealogical pathway and should not be equated with the complete history of a population.
Conclusion: Modern molecular anthropology combines genome-wide nuclear DNA with mtDNA: nDNA provides broad biparental history, while mtDNA provides a high-copy maternal lineage record.
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UPSC Anthropology Optional 2026 — Paper I
28 questionsSyllabus: Paper I > Culture and Personality > Basic personality structure > National character
1(b) Canalization and catch-up growth.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Growth and Development > Growth patterns > Canalization and catch-up growth
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Genetics > Mendelian inheritance in man > Pedigree analysis
8(a) Compare Edmund Leach's structuralism with interpretive anthropology of Clifford Geertz.
20 Marks
Syllabus: Paper I > Anthropological Theories > Structuralism and interpretive anthropology > Leach and Geertz
5(a) Ethics in anthropological fieldwork.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > Research Methods > Fieldwork > Ethics in fieldwork
1(e) Ethnoarchaeology and classical archaeology.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > Archaeological Anthropology > Approaches > Ethnoarchaeology and classical archaeology
5(c) Feminist movement and family.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > Family > Contemporary trends > Feminist movement and family
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Biology > Demography > Fertility and mortality
1(d) Genetic polymorphism and natural selection.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Genetics > Genetic polymorphism > Natural selection
1(a) Health as a cultural construct.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > Applications of Anthropology > Medical Anthropology > Culture and health
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Evolution > Biological and cultural factors > Biocultural evolution
4(b) Discuss 'incest taboo' as the basis of development of kinship systems in human societies.
15 Marks
Syllabus: Paper I > Kinship > Incest taboo > Development of kinship systems
Syllabus: Paper I > Anthropological Theories > Neo-evolutionism > Leslie White and culturology
Syllabus: Paper I > Palaeolithic Cultures > Upper Palaeolithic > Magdalenian tradition
Syllabus: Paper I > Research Methods > Methodology > Mixed methods
1(c) Myth as oral literature.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > Religion, Myth and Ritual > Myth > Myth as oral literature
5(b) Distinguishing features of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Genetics > DNA > Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Genetics > Chromosomal aberrations > Numerical aberrations
Syllabus: Paper I > Palaeolithic Cultures > Distribution > Himalayan and Sub-Himalayan sites
Syllabus: Paper I > Fossil Hominids > Australopithecines > Paranthropus
Syllabus: Paper I > Political Organization and Social Control > Power and authority > Change with political organization
Syllabus: Paper I > Religion > Functions of religion > Cultural adaptation to environment
Syllabus: Paper I > Human Genetics > Applied genetics > Serogenetics, cytogenetics and reproductive technology
Syllabus: Paper I > Applications of Anthropology > Sports Anthropology > Somatotyping and the Heath-Carter method
Syllabus: Paper I > Primatology > Primate taxonomy > Strepsirhini and Haplorhini
2(c) How is the theory of structuralism helpful in understanding the concepts of caste and gender?
15 Marks
Syllabus: Paper I > Anthropological Theories > Structuralism > Application to caste and gender
5(e) Thermoluminescence dating method.
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > Archaeological Anthropology > Dating methods > Thermoluminescence