Question

Whorls are present in least frequency among:

• A. Mongoloids
• B. Micronesians
• C. Bushmen
• D. Australian aborigines

Hint:

In dermatoglyphics, remember this general trend: East Asians (Mongoloids) often have the highest frequency of whorls. Some African groups, like the Bushmen and Pygmies, have the highest frequency of arches, which means they must have a low frequency of whorls.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Dermatoglyphics, the study of fingerprint patterns, shows variation among different human populations. The three basic patterns are loops, whorls, and arches. The relative frequencies of these patterns can be a characteristic of a population group. The question asks which group has the lowest frequency of whorls.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- A low frequency of whorls is often correlated with a high frequency of another pattern, typically arches, as loops are the most common pattern in most populations.
- Mongoloids (East Asian populations) are generally characterized by a high frequency of whorls, among the highest in the world.
- Micronesians and Australian aborigines also tend to have relatively high frequencies of whorls compared to European and African populations.
- Bushmen (the San people of Southern Africa) are well-documented in dermatoglyphic studies for having an unusually high frequency of arches, which is the rarest pattern globally. Consequently, they have a very low frequency of whorls.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Among the given options, the Bushmen are known for having the lowest frequency of whorls and the highest frequency of arches.