Anthropology 2022 Paper I 50 marks 150 words Compulsory Write short notes

Q5

Write notes on the following in about 150 words each: (a) Balanced and transient genetic polymorphism. (10 marks) (b) Genetic imprinting in human diseases. (10 marks) (c) Stages of human pre-natal development. (10 marks) (d) Shaman, sorcerer and medicine man. (10 marks) (e) Household and domestic group. (10 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निम्नलिखित पर लगभग 150 शब्दों (प्रत्येक) में टिप्पणियाँ लिखिए : (a) संतुलित और क्षणिक आनुवंशिक बहुरूपता । (10) (b) मानव रोगों में आनुवंशिक छाप । (10) (c) मानव जन्मपूर्व विकास के चरण । (10) (d) भूतसाधक ओझा, जादूगरी ओझा, और रोगहारी ओझा । (10) (e) कुटुंब और घरेलू समूह । (10)

Directive word: Write short notes

This question asks you to write short notes. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'Write notes' demands concise, information-dense responses for each sub-part. Allocate approximately 30 words per mark (150 words × 5 parts = 750 total). Spend roughly 3 minutes per part, prioritizing precise definitions and key distinctions over elaboration. Structure each note as: definition → mechanism/process → example → significance. No introduction or conclusion is needed for this format; dive directly into content for each labeled section.

Key points expected

  • (a) Balanced polymorphism: Define as stable coexistence of multiple alleles (e.g., sickle-cell trait and malaria resistance); contrast with transient polymorphism as temporary, directional selection phase; cite heterozygote advantage for balanced, industrial melanism for transient.
  • (b) Genetic imprinting: Explain parent-of-origin specific gene silencing via methylation; link to diseases—Prader-Willi syndrome (paternal deletion), Angelman syndrome (maternal deletion), Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome; mention uniparental disomy.
  • (c) Pre-natal stages: Germinal (0-2 weeks: zygote, blastocyst, implantation), Embryonic (3-8 weeks: organogenesis, neural tube, limb buds), Fetal (9 weeks-birth: growth, maturation, viability threshold); note critical periods and teratogen sensitivity.
  • (d) Shaman, sorcerer, medicine man: Shaman as ecstatic specialist, soul flight, healing (Siberian, Santhal); sorcerer as malevolent magic user, antisocial power; medicine man as herbalist, empirical knowledge (Vaidya, Ojha); contrast legitimacy and social role.
  • (e) Household vs. domestic group: Household as co-residential, economic unit (UN definition); domestic group as task-oriented, may be dispersed; cite Indian joint family vs. nuclear household; mention Nandi (M.N. Srinivas) domestic cycle.

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness25%12.5All five parts demonstrate scientifically and anthropologically accurate definitions: correctly distinguishes balanced (heterozygote advantage) from transient (directional selection) polymorphism; accurately describes imprinting mechanism and parent-of-origin effects; correctly sequences pre-natal stages with precise timing; sharply differentiates shaman (ecstatic), sorcerer (malevolent), medicine man (empirical); precisely contrasts household (residence) from domestic group (function).Most definitions are correct but some imprecision exists: conflates polymorphism types or omits mechanism; lists imprinting diseases without explaining parent-of-origin basis; stages present but timing or key events blurred; shaman/sorcerer/medicine man treated as synonyms or overlaps unclear; household and domestic group used interchangeably.Major conceptual errors: confuses polymorphism with mutation; describes imprinting as mutation rather than epigenetic; stages out of order or confused with post-natal; shaman and sorcerer conflated as 'tribal healers'; household and domestic group not distinguished or misunderstood.
Theoretical framing20%10Appropriately deploys theoretical frameworks: for (a) cites Fisher's fundamental theorem or Haldane's cost of selection; for (b) references epigenetic theory and genomic conflict (Haig's hypothesis); for (c) uses embryological staging systems (Carnegie); for (d) applies Wallace's typology or Levi-Strauss on sorcery; for (e) utilizes Fortes' domestic domain or Goody's production/reproduction framework.Some theoretical awareness but inconsistent: mentions natural selection for polymorphism without specifying mechanism; notes epigenetics without genomic conflict theory; stages described without developmental theory; shamanism lacks typological framework; household mentioned without structural-functional or processual theory.No theoretical grounding: purely descriptive across all parts; fails to connect polymorphism to evolutionary theory, imprinting to gene regulation theory, pre-natal development to embryology, religious specialists to anthropology of religion, or household to kinship theory.
Ethnographic / Indian examples20%10Rich, specific Indian and comparative examples: for (a) sickle-cell in tribal populations (Gujarat, Maharashtra) or G6PD deficiency; for (b) Indian cases of imprinting disorders or research from Indian journals; for (c) ICMR guidelines or Indian maternal health context; for (d) Santhal Ojha, Bhil Bhopa, Naga shaman, or Kerala Teyyam vs. sorcery; for (e) Nandi domestic cycle, Kerala taravad, or North Indian joint family studies.Some Indian examples but generic or imprecise: mentions 'tribal populations' for polymorphism without specificity; diseases named without Indian incidence; pre-natal stages lack Indian health context; shamanism examples from generic 'tribes' without naming; household examples from textbook generalizations.No Indian examples or inappropriate ones: uses only Western cases (African sickle-cell, Western imprinting clinics, American pregnancy stages, Siberian shamanism without Indian parallel, Western household types); or examples factually wrong.
Comparative analysis20%10Explicit, structured comparisons within each part: (a) systematic contrast of balanced vs. transient on stability, selection pressure, and evolutionary outcome; (b) compares maternal vs. paternal imprinting effects and syndromes; (c) contrasts stages by duration, major events, and vulnerability; (d) compares three specialists on power source, social legitimacy, and technique; (e) contrasts household and domestic group on residence, kinship, and economic function.Some comparative intent but underdeveloped: mentions both polymorphism types without systematic contrast; lists imprinted genes without comparing parental effects; stages presented sequentially not comparatively; three specialists described separately without explicit comparison; household and domestic group defined but contrastive features not highlighted.No comparative structure: treats each term in isolation; for (a) describes only one polymorphism type; for (d) describes only shaman; for (e) provides only one definition; misses the analytical demand inherent in paired or grouped terms.
Conclusion & applied angle15%7.5Each part closes with applied significance: (a) public health implications of polymorphism screening; (b) genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for imprinting disorders; (c) maternal health, teratogen avoidance, and Janani Suraksha Yojana relevance; (d) medical pluralism and integration of traditional healers in NRHM/AYUSH; (e) policy implications for census household definition and welfare targeting.Some applied awareness but uneven: significance mentioned for 2-3 parts only; or generic statements like 'important for health' without specific program or policy link; misses opportunity to connect to contemporary Indian governance or health initiatives.No applied dimension: notes end abruptly without significance; or adds irrelevant concluding sentences; fails to demonstrate awareness of why these concepts matter for anthropology practice, health policy, or Indian social welfare.

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