Class 12 Anthropology Chapter 3 Biological Diversity of Humans and the Concept of Race Solutions with complete textual questions and answers, important additional exam-oriented questions and answers, and easy-to-understand solutions for effective exam preparation.
Class 12 Anthropology Chapter 3 Biological Diversity of Humans and the Concept of Race Solutions
Textual Questions & Answers
- Define race.
Ans: Race is a social construct used to classify people, often on the basis of perceived physical characteristics such as skin colour, hair form, and facial features. It is not a set of biologically distinct or genetically uniform human categories. Genetic variation is continuous, and there is generally more genetic variation within broadly defined racial groups than between them
- What do you mean by racial criteria?
Ans: Racial criteria are the physical characteristics that were historically used by physical anthropologists to classify and differentiate human populations into racial groups. These criteria are now regarded as limited and outdated because human biological variation does not fall into clearly separated racial categories.
These criteria traditionally included:
(i) Skin colour.
(ii) Hair form and texture.
(iii) Facial features, such as the shape of the nose, eyes, and lips.
(iv) Body build and stature.
(v) Head and facial measurements.
- Straight hair is found among which racial group?
Ans: Straight hair occurs in people from many populations. It is particularly common in several East and North Asian populations, but it is not exclusive to any particular racial group. Therefore, it is more scientifically appropriate to describe straight hair as a population-related physical trait rather than as a characteristic of a distinct racial group.
- Woolly hair is a characteristic feature of which racial group?
Ans: Tightly coiled or woolly hair occurs in many populations, particularly among some populations of sub-Saharan African ancestry and in certain other populations. It should not be regarded as an exclusive characteristic of any racial group. The term “woolly hair” is an older anthropological expression; “tightly coiled” or “very tightly curled hair” is generally more appropriate.
- How do you find face form?
Ans: Face form is determined by calculating the morphological facial index. It is obtained by dividing the morphological facial height (facial length) by the bizygomatic breadth and multiplying the result by 100.
Morphological Facial Index = (Morphological facial height ÷ Bizygomatic breadth) × 100
- What is facial Prognathism?
Ans: Facial prognathism is the forward projection of one or more parts of the facial skeleton, particularly the jaws or alveolar region, relative to the rest of the face. It is assessed from the profile of the face and may involve the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both.
- Who classified the finger patterns for the first time?
Ans: Sir Francis Galton made one of the earliest systematic scientific classifications of fingerprint patterns. Sir Edward Richard Henry later developed the Henry Classification System, which became an important system for organizing and identifying large collections of fingerprints.
- What is triradius?
Ans: A triradius is a point on the skin where three groups of ridges meet or diverge, forming a roughly triangular or Y-shaped configuration. Triradii occur on the fingers, palms, and soles and are important features in the study of dermatoglyphics.
- How many triradis are there in a whorl?
Ans: In the basic classification of fingerprint patterns, a whorl has two triradii, a loop has one triradius, and an arch has no triradius.
- What are the two types of loop?
Ans: The two main types of fingerprint loops are:
(i) Ulnar loop: The loop opens towards the little-finger side of the hand.
(ii) Radial loop: The loop opens towards the thumb side of the hand.
- What are the different finger patterns?
Ans: The three basic fingerprint patterns are arches, loops, and whorls. Three indices are commonly calculated from the frequency distribution of these patterns:
(i) Furuhata’s Index = (Number of whorls ÷ Number of loops) × 100
(ii) Dankmeijer’s Index = (Number of arches ÷ Number of whorls) × 100
(iii) Pattern Intensity Index = (2 × Number of whorls + Number of loops) ÷ n
Here, n represents the total number of fingers examined, or the corresponding total number of observations when percentages are used. These indices are used in dermatoglyphic studies to describe the distribution of fingerprint patterns.
- How do you find the main line formula?
Ans: The radiant lines arising from the digital triradii are traced to determine the regions of the palm in which they terminate. The four main lines are designated A, B, C, and D, corresponding to the digital triradii. The termination regions are represented by numbers or symbols. The resulting main line formula is recorded in the order D, C, B, A.
- Write short note.
(a) Furuhata’s index.
Ans: Furuhata’s Index is a dermatoglyphic index that expresses the relative frequency of whorl patterns to loop patterns in a population. It is calculated as:
Furuhata’s Index = (Number of whorls ÷ Number of loops) × 100
When percentages are used, the formula is:
Furuhata’s Index = (% of whorls ÷ % of loops) × 100
(b) Dankmeijer’s index.
Ans: Dankmeijer’s Index is a dermatoglyphic index that expresses the relative frequency of arch patterns to whorl patterns. It is calculated as:
Dankmeijer’s Index = (Number of arches ÷ Number of whorls) × 100
When percentages are used, the formula is:
Dankmeijer’s Index = (% of arches ÷ % of whorls) × 100
(c) Pattern intensity index.
Ans: The Pattern Intensity Index is a dermatoglyphic measure of the relative complexity of fingerprint patterns. Arches contribute zero, loops contribute one, and whorls contribute two pattern points. A commonly used formula is:
Pattern Intensity Index = (2 × Number of whorls + Number of loops) ÷ n
Here, n represents the total number of fingers examined. When percentages are used, the formula is commonly expressed as:
Pattern Intensity Index = (2 × % of whorls + % of loops) ÷ 2
The exact form used should therefore be stated together with the definition of the denominator.
(d) Skin colour.
Ans: Skin colour varies continuously among human populations and is determined mainly by the amount, type, and distribution of melanin, together with other biological factors. Although older physical anthropology sometimes divided people into broad categories such as Leucoderms, Xanthoderms, and Melanoderms, these classifications are historical and do not represent scientifically distinct biological races.
(i) Light skin: Light skin occurs in many populations, particularly in regions where ancestral populations experienced relatively low levels of ultraviolet radiation.
(ii) Intermediate or yellowish-brown skin: A wide range of intermediate skin colours occurs among populations in Asia, the Americas, and other regions.
(iii) Dark skin: Darker skin is common among many populations whose ancestors lived in regions with high levels of ultraviolet radiation, including many populations of sub-Saharan African, Melanesian, and Australian Aboriginal ancestry.
Skin colour shows considerable variation within and between populations and should not be used by itself to define racial groups.
- Black skin colour is found among which racial group?
Ans: Dark skin colour occurs in many populations, particularly among numerous populations of sub-Saharan African ancestry and some populations in other high-ultraviolet-radiation regions. It is not scientifically accurate to attribute dark or “black” skin exclusively to a particular racial group such as the historically used category “Negroid.”
- What is epicanthic fold?
Ans: An epicanthic fold, or epicanthus, is a fold of skin of the upper eyelid that extends over or partly covers the inner corner (medial canthus) of the eye. It is a normal anatomical variation and may occur in people from different populations and age groups.
- Among which racial group epicanthic fold is found?
Ans: Epicanthic folds are particularly common in many East and North Asian populations and also occur in other populations. They are not exclusive to any particular racial group. Their frequency and appearance can also vary with age and individual development.
- What are the different types of epicanthic folds?
Ans: In traditional physical anthropology, four principal types of eye folds were described:
(i) Complete Mongoloid Fold: A fold of skin extends across the free edge of much or all of the upper eyelid, from the outer region towards the inner corner of the eye.
(ii) Internal Epicanthus: The fold arises from the inner or medial part of the upper eyelid and covers the inner corner of the eye. It may extend towards the cheek.
(iii) External Epicanthus: The fold begins around the middle portion of the upper eyelid and extends towards the outer corner of the eye.
(iv) Median or Cover Fold: A fold of skin covers the middle portion of the upper eyelid, while the inner and outer corners of the eye remain relatively uncovered.
These terms belong mainly to traditional anthropological descriptions of eye-fold variation.
- Who discovered the ABO blood group?
Ans: Karl Landsteiner discovered the ABO blood-group system in 1901. His work demonstrated that human blood could be divided into different groups on the basis of reactions between red blood cells and blood serum.
- What are the different types of blood group?
Ans: The four main blood groups in the ABO blood-group system are:
(i) A
(ii) B
(iii) AB
(iv) O
The Rh system is a separate blood-group system and is commonly considered together with the ABO system in blood transfusion.
- Who is known as a universal donor?
Ans: O-negative (O−) red blood cells are commonly called the universal donor type for red-cell transfusion because they lack A, B, and Rh(D) antigens. However, actual transfusion practice requires proper blood typing and cross-matching. Group O alone is not universally compatible, because the Rh factor and other blood-group antigens must also be considered.
- Who is known as a universal recipient?
Ans: AB-positive (AB+) individuals are commonly described as universal recipients for red-cell transfusions because their red blood cells have A, B, and Rh(D) antigens, while their plasma normally lacks anti-A and anti-B antibodies. Nevertheless, transfusions should always be performed according to appropriate blood-group testing and compatibility procedures.
- What are the different types of hair form? Discuss.
Ans: Hair form has traditionally been classified in physical anthropology into three broad types. These terms are historical descriptive categories and should not be interpreted as defining distinct racial groups.
(a) Leiotrichous or straight hair: This refers to relatively straight hair. It is particularly common in several East and North Asian populations but also occurs in many other populations. Traditional descriptions further divided straight hair according to thickness and texture.
(i) Stiff or straight: Thick, coarse, relatively straight, and stiff hair.
(ii) Smooth: Relatively thin, soft, and straight hair.
(iii) Flat or slightly wavy: Hair that is relatively straight but may show a tendency towards waviness, particularly along its length.
(b) Cymotrichous or wavy hair: This refers to wavy hair in which the hair shaft forms gentle to pronounced waves. It occurs in many populations and shows considerable variation in texture and degree of waviness.
The traditional subdivisions include:
(i) Broad waves: The waves are broad and relatively gentle.
(ii) Narrow waves: The waves are shorter, narrower, and more strongly curved.
(iii) Curly: The hair forms deeper curls or spirals.
(c) Ulotrichous or tightly coiled hair: This refers to very tightly curled or coiled hair. It occurs in many populations, particularly among numerous populations of sub-Saharan African ancestry, but it is not exclusive to any racial group.
Traditional descriptions included:
(i) Frizzly: Short, tightly curled hair without clearly formed complete spirals.
(ii) Loose frizzles: The hair forms relatively loose circular or flattened spirals.
(iii) Thick frizzles: The spirals are more closely and densely arranged.
(iv) Filfil: A traditional term for very tightly rolled hair forming small, closely packed curls. The term is now largely of historical anthropological interest.
Additional Questions & Answers (Class 12 Anthropology Chapter 3 Biological Diversity)
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
- All living humans belong to which species?
(i) Homo neanderthalensis.
(ii) Homo sapiens.
(iii) Homo erectus.
(iv) Homo habilis.
Ans: (ii) Homo sapiens.
- Who defined race as “a great division of mankind”?
(i) E.A. Hooton.
(ii) Galton.
(iii) M.F. Ashley Montagu.
(iv) Karl Landsteiner.
Ans: (i) E.A. Hooton.
- Who gave the genetic definition of race?
(i) Hooton.
(ii) Julian Huxley.
(iii) Montagu.
(iv) Darwin.
Ans: (iii) Montagu.
- The study of fingerprints and skin ridge patterns is called:
(i) Osteology.
(ii) Serology.
(iii) Hematology.
(iv) Dermatoglyphics.
Ans: (iv) Dermatoglyphics.
- Filfil hair type is also known as:
(i) Peppercorn hair.
(ii) Smooth hair.
(iii) Curly hair.
(iv) Flat wavy hair.
Ans: (i) Peppercorn hair.
- Facial index is calculated by:
(i) Width × Length × 100.
(ii) Breadth ÷ Length × 100.
(iii) Length ÷ Breadth × 100.
(iv) Height ÷ Width × 100.
Ans: (iii) Length ÷ Breadth × 100.
- Cymotrichous (wavy) hair is found in:
(i) Bushmen.
(ii) Caucasoids.
(iii) Mongoloids.
(iv) Negroids.
Ans: (ii) Caucasoids.
- Universal recipient blood group is:
(i) B.
(ii) O.
(iii) AB.
(iv) A.
Ans: (iii) AB.
- Whorls are most frequent among:
(i) Xanthoderms.
(ii) Negroids.
(iii) Mongoloids.
(iv) Caucasoids.
Ans: (iii) Mongoloids.
- Furuhata’s Index is:
(i) Whorls × 100 / Loops.
(ii) Loops + Whorls / Arches.
(iii) Loops × 100 / Arches.
(iv) Arches × 100 / Whorls.
Ans: (i) Whorls × 100 / Loops.
- Leucoderms refer to:
(i) Brown-skinned people.
(ii) Black-skinned people.
(iii) Yellow-skinned people.
(iv) White-skinned people.
Ans: (iv) White-skinned people.
- A distinguishing feature of Mongoloid eyes is:
(i) Epicanthic fold.
(ii) Absence of eyelashes.
(iii) Blue iris.
(iv) Round shape.
Ans: (i) Epicanthic fold.
- Ulotrichous (woolly) hair is a trait of:
(i) Mediterraneans.
(ii) Caucasoids.
(iii) Negroids.
(iv) Mongoloids.
Ans: (iii) Negroids.
- Loops are most frequent in:
(i) Xanthoderms.
(ii) Caucasoids.
(iii) Mongoloids.
(iv) Negroids.
Ans: (ii) Caucasoids.
- Triradius is found in which fingerprint type?
(i) Both (ii) and (iii).
(ii) Whorl.
(iii) Arch.
(iv) Loop.
Ans: (i) Both (ii) and (iii).
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