NTA UGC NET/JRF Exam, June 2023 (Anthropology)

Total Questions: 100

61. An inborn error of metabolism causing mental retardation due to lack of enzyme for conversion of phenylalanine to tyrosine is called:

Correct Answer: B. Phenylketonuria
Solution:Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inborn error of metabolism causing mental retardation due to a lack of the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase, which is necessary for converting phenylalanine to tyrosine. Without this conversion, phenylalanine accumulates in the body, leading to toxic levels that cause brain damage and intellectual disabilities.

Early diagnosis and a strict diet low in phenylalanine can prevent these adverse effects. Alkaptonuria, galactosemia, and tyrosinemia are also metabolic disorders, but they involve different enzymes and metabolic pathways, making phenylketonuria the specific disorder related to phenylalanine and tyrosine conversion.

62. In Clifford Geertz's Interpretive Anthropology, culture is seen as a system of shared meaning expressed through which of the following?

Correct Answer: D. Public communication
Solution:In Clifford Geertz's Interpretive Anthropology, culture is seen as a system of shared meaning expressed through public communication. Geertz emphasized that culture consists of shared symbols and meanings that are communicated and understood publicly within a society.

This perspective highlights how rituals, symbols, and other cultural expressions are means of conveying shared meanings among members of a culture. While "thick description" is Geertz's method for analyzing these meanings in depth, public communication is the broader concept through which culture is expressed and shared. Cultural grammar and rituals are aspects of cultural expression, but public communication encompasses the overall system of shared meanings.

63. Who authored the book 'The Man's Place in Nature'?

Correct Answer: A. Thomas Henry Huxley
Solution:Thomas Henry Huxley authored the book "The Man's Place in Nature." Published in 1863, this book was one of the first to present evidence supporting the idea of human evolution from apes. Huxley used comparative anatomy and paleontology to argue for the close relationship between humans and other primates, challenging the prevailing views of his time.

C.B. Harley, G.H. Hardy, and William S. Hatcher did not author this work, making Huxley the correct answer. His contributions significantly advanced the acceptance of evolutionary theory in the scientific community.

64. 'Hobbits' is the nickname of:

Correct Answer: D. Homo floresiensis
Solution:"Hobbits" is the nickname for Homо floresiensis, a small-statured hominin species discovered on the island of Flores in Indonesia. The remains, dated to around 100,000 to 60,000 years ago, exhibit unique features, including a small brain size and short stature, which led to the nickname "hobbits."

Homo floresiensis is distinct from other hominin species like archaic Homo sapiens, Homo habilis, and Homo erectus due to its unique morphological characteristics. The discovery of Homo floresiensis provided new insights into the diversity and adaptability of hominin species.

65. Which of the following diseases occur due to micronutrient malnutrition?

(a) Cretinism
(b) Night blindness
(c) Jaundice
(d) Scurvy
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: C. (a), (b) and (d) only
Solution:Diseases that occur due to micronutrient malnutrition include cretinism, night blindness, and scurvy. Cretinism is caused by a deficiency of iodine, leading to severe developmental and cognitive impairments.

Night blindness results from a lack of vitamin A, affecting vision, especially in low light. Scurvy is caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, leading to symptoms, like bleeding gums and joint pain.

66. Which of the following are the examples of Genetic Drift?

(a) Founder Effect
(b) Bottleneck Effect
(c) Polyploidy
(d) Intergenerational gametic drift
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: B. (a), (b) and (d) only
Solution:Examples of genetic drift include:
• Founder Effect
• Bottleneck Effect
• Intergenerational gametic drift

Genetic drift refers to random changes in allele frequencies within a population, often having a more significant impact in small populations. The Founder Effect occurs when a small group of individuals establishes a new population, leading to reduced genetic variation. The Bottleneck Effect happens when a population undergoes a significant reduction in size, causing a loss of genetic diversity. Intergenerational gametic drift involves random fluctuations in allele frequencies across generations.

Hence, correct options are (a), (b) and (d).

67. Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and other is labelled as Reason (R).

Assertion (A): Relative chronology is the foundation of all archaeological research established by stratigraphic observation and placing artifacts in chronological order.

Reason (R): Stratigraphic observation is based on the law of superposition

In the light of the above statements. Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
Solution:Both the assertion (A) that relative chronology is the foundation of all archaeological research established by stratigraphic observation and placing artifacts in chronological order, and the reason (R) that stratigraphic observation is based on the law of superposition, are true.

The law of superposition states that in undisturbed sedimentary layers, older layers are at the bottom and younger layers are at the top. This principle allows archaeologists to determine the relative ages of artifacts and stratigraphy. The reason correctly explains the basis of the assertion, making both statements true and (R) the correct explanation for (A).

68. Which of the following can be cited as an example of 'Composite pattern' in the field of dermatoglyphics?

(a) Central Pocket Loop
(b) Double Loop
(c) Twin Loop
(d) Accidental Loop
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: A. (a), (c) and (d) only
Solution:In the field of dermatoglyphics, the Composite pattern includes:
• Central Pocket Loop
• Twin Looр
• Accidental Loop

These patterns are characterized by complex ridge formations that combine elements of different basic patterns (arches, loops, and whorls). The Central Pocket Loop has a whorl-like pattern within a loop, the Twin Loop consists of two loop formations, and the Accidental Loop is a combination of two or more patterns. Hence, correct options are (a), (c) and (d).

69. Arrange the following activities based on occurrence in prehistory from the oldest to the youngest:

(a) Manufacture and use of bone flutes at Isturitz
(b) Use of bone points and antler frontlets at Star Carr
(c) Caring for the old cripple at La Chapelleaux-Saints
(d) Communal hunting of elephants at Ambrona
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: D. (d), (c), (a), (b)
Solution:Arranging the activities based on their occurrence in prehistory from the oldest to the youngest:
• Communal hunting of elephants at Ambrona dates back to the Lower Paleolithic period, approximately 400,000 years ago.
• Caring for the old cripple at La Chapelleaux-Saints occurred during the Middle Paleolithic period, around 50,000 years ago.
• Manufacture and use of bone flutes at Isturitz belong to the Upper Paleolithic period, around 35,000 years ago.
• Use of bone points and antler frontlets at Star Carr is from the Mesolithic period, around 9,000 years ago. Hence, correct sequence are (d), (c), (a), (b).

70. Match List-I with List-II

LIST-I (Relationship)LIST-II (Coefficient Consanguinity)
(a) Father-daughterI. 1/8
(b) Uncle-nieceII. 1/4
(c) First cousinIII. 1/64
(d) Second cousinIV. 1/16

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: C.
Solution:The matching pairs are:
• Father-daughter has a coefficient of 1/4, indicating a first-degree relationship. • Uncle-niece has a coefficient of 1/8, indicating a second-degree relationship.
• First cousin has a coefficient of 1/16, indicating a third-degree relationship.
• Second cousin has a coefficient of 1/64, indicating a more distant relationship.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).