Question

“People living in cold region tend to have larger body mass.” What would explain this adaptive feature ?

• A. Cow’s rule
• B. Allen’s rule
• C. Bergmann’s rule
• D. Thomson’s rule

Hint:

Bergmann’s Rule states that populations in colder climates generally possess larger and heavier bodies to conserve heat efficiently.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: Human biological adaptation refers to the way human populations adjust physically and physiologically to environmental conditions. Several ecological rules explain variations in:
• Body size,
• Body proportions,
• Limb length,
• Heat conservation,
• Climatic adaptation. One important ecological principle is Bergmann’s Rule.

Step 1: Understanding the environmental condition. The question refers to: \[ \text{People living in cold regions} \] Cold environments create challenges such as:
• Heat loss,
• Low temperature stress,
• Need for heat conservation. Human populations adapt biologically to reduce heat loss.

Step 2: Understanding Bergmann’s Rule. Bergmann’s Rule states: \[ \textit{Animals or human populations living in colder climates tend to have larger and heavier body masses.} \] This happens because:
• Larger bodies have smaller surface area relative to volume,
• Reduced surface area minimizes heat loss,
• Heat conservation becomes more efficient. Thus: \[ \boxed{\text{Bergmann’s Rule}} \] correctly explains the adaptation.

Step 3: Analyzing the remaining options. Option (A): \[ \text{Cow’s rule} \] There is no major anthropological ecological principle known as Cow’s rule related to climatic adaptation. Hence, incorrect. Option (B): \[ \text{Allen’s rule} \] Allen’s Rule explains:
• Limb proportions,
• Shorter extremities in cold climates,
• Longer extremities in warm climates. It does not primarily explain larger body mass. Thus, incorrect. Option (D): \[ \text{Thomson’s rule} \] This rule is unrelated to body mass adaptation in climatic anthropology. Hence, incorrect.

Step 4: Final conclusion. Therefore, the adaptive feature described in the question is explained by: \[ \boxed{\text{(C) Bergmann’s Rule}} \]