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Avunculate marriage Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: Avunculate Marriage: Definitions, Legality, and Historical Context

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Avunculate Marriage: Definitions, Legality, and Historical Context Study Guide

Definition and Scope

The term 'avunculate marriage' exclusively denotes unions where an individual marries their own aunt or uncle.

Answer: False

Explanation: The definition of avunculate marriage encompasses unions between an individual and their parent's sibling (uncle/aunt) or their sibling's child (niece/nephew), thus it is not exclusively limited to one specific direction of the relationship.

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Avunculate marriages can involve relationships established purely by marriage (affinity) and not necessarily by blood.

Answer: True

Explanation: The definition of avunculate marriage includes unions established through affinity (relationship by marriage) as well as consanguinity (blood relation).

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What is the primary definition of an avunculate marriage?

Answer: A union between a person and their parent's sibling or their sibling's child.

Explanation: The primary definition of an avunculate marriage is a union between an individual and their parent's sibling (uncle/aunt) or their sibling's child (niece/nephew).

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The definition of avunculate marriage encompasses unions related by which of the following?

Answer: Both consanguinity (blood) and affinity (marriage).

Explanation: Avunculate marriages can be based on either consanguinity (blood relation) or affinity (relation by marriage).

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Which of the following statements regarding avunculate marriages, as presented in the source material, is demonstrably FALSE?

Answer: They are permitted in Hungary.

Explanation: The source material explicitly lists Hungary among the countries where avunculate marriage is not permitted, making the statement that it is permitted in Hungary false.

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Genetic and Health Implications

Biologically related partners in an avunculate marriage share approximately 12.5% of their genetic material.

Answer: False

Explanation: Partners in a biologically related avunculate marriage, such as an uncle and niece, share approximately 25% of their genetic material, a figure comparable to that of half-siblings. This is double the genetic material shared by first cousins (approximately 12.5%).

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The coefficient of inbreeding (F) calculated for the offspring resulting from an uncle-niece marriage is approximately 0.0625.

Answer: False

Explanation: The coefficient of inbreeding (F) for progeny of an uncle-niece marriage is approximately 0.125. This value is double that of first cousins (F = 0.0625), reflecting a higher degree of consanguinity.

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A 1990 South Indian study concluded that major malformations occurred with less frequency in offspring from uncle-niece unions than in offspring from first-cousin unions.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 1990 South Indian study indicated that major malformations were slightly more frequent in uncle-niece progeny (9.34%) compared to first-cousin progeny (6.18%), contrary to the statement.

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The South Indian study reported that stillbirth rates were lower among consanguineous couples, especially in uncle-niece unions.

Answer: False

Explanation: The South Indian study found that stillbirth rates were significantly higher in consanguineous couples, particularly in uncle-niece matings, compared to first-cousin unions.

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The coefficient of genetic relationship between partners in an avunculate marriage is lower than that observed between first cousins.

Answer: False

Explanation: Partners in a biologically related avunculate marriage share approximately 25% of their genetic material, representing a higher coefficient of relationship than the approximately 12.5% shared by first cousins.

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In the South Indian study, malformations affecting the eyes, ears, and skin were observed to be significantly more frequent in offspring from avunculate marriages than in those from first-cousin marriages.

Answer: False

Explanation: The South Indian study specifically noted that while major malformations were more frequent in uncle-niece progeny, malformations of the eyes, ears, and skin did not show a significant increase compared to first-cousin progeny.

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When partners in a biologically related avunculate marriage are considered, what is their typical genetic relationship and the approximate percentage of genetic material they share?

Answer: Half-siblings, sharing approximately 25% of genetic material.

Explanation: Biologically related partners in an avunculate marriage, such as an uncle and niece, typically share the same genetic relationship as half-siblings, meaning they share approximately 25% of their genetic material.

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How does the degree of genetic relatedness between biologically related partners in an avunculate marriage compare to that of first cousins?

Answer: They are more closely related than first cousins.

Explanation: Partners in a biologically related avunculate marriage share approximately 25% of their genetic material, which is a closer genetic relationship than that found between first cousins, who share about 12.5%.

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What is the approximate coefficient of inbreeding (F) for the progeny resulting from an uncle-niece marriage?

Answer: 0.125

Explanation: The coefficient of inbreeding (F) for progeny of an uncle-niece marriage is approximately 0.125, indicating a significant level of consanguinity.

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According to a 1990 South Indian study comparing offspring from uncle-niece unions versus first-cousin unions, what was the finding regarding the incidence of major malformations?

Answer: They were slightly more frequent in uncle-niece progeny.

Explanation: The 1990 South Indian study found that major malformations occurred slightly more frequently in uncle-niece progeny (9.34%) compared to first-cousin progeny (6.18%).

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Based on the South Indian study, what impact did consanguinity in avunculate marriages have on birth weight and head circumference?

Answer: It resulted in a significant decrease in mean birth weight and head circumference.

Explanation: The South Indian study observed a significant decrease in mean birth weight and head circumference among babies born to consanguineous parents in avunculate marriages.

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What is the genetic implication of the coefficient of inbreeding (F ≈ 0.125) for the progeny of uncle-niece marriages?

Answer: On average, 12.5% of the progeny's loci are homozygous due to shared genes from common ancestors.

Explanation: A coefficient of inbreeding (F) of 0.125 for uncle-niece marriages signifies that, on average, 12.5% of the progeny's genetic loci are homozygous due to shared ancestry.

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What is the principal reason cited for the controversy or regulation surrounding avunculate marriages in many societies?

Answer: They can lead to increased incidence of genetic disorders in offspring.

Explanation: The increased risk of genetic disorders in offspring resulting from the higher degree of consanguinity is the primary reason cited for the controversy and regulation of avunculate marriages.

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Historical and Cultural Contexts

Avunculate marriage was a prevalent practice among royalty in Ancient Rome, whereas it was not common in Ancient Egypt.

Answer: False

Explanation: Historical records indicate that avunculate marriage was a frequent practice among royalty in Ancient Egypt, contrary to the assertion that it was not common there. While examples exist for Rome, the statement incorrectly excludes Egypt.

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In South India, cultural norms favored the marriage of daughters to their maternal aunts.

Answer: False

Explanation: Cultural preferences in South India, particularly among Hindus, favored the marriage of daughters to their maternal uncles, a practice often referred to as Maman Kalyanam, not their maternal aunts.

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Avunculate marriages were common among ancient Greek royalty, but not among figures like Perictione.

Answer: False

Explanation: The text indicates that Perictione was married to her uncle Pyrilampes, demonstrating that avunculate marriages did occur among figures in ancient Greece, contrary to the statement.

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The practice known as Maman Kalyanam refers to the marriage of a daughter to her maternal uncle in South India.

Answer: True

Explanation: The term Maman Kalyanam specifically denotes the culturally preferred marriage of a daughter to her maternal uncle in South India.

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The Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt adhered to religious prohibitions that led them to avoid avunculate marriages.

Answer: False

Explanation: Contrary to the statement, the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt frequently practiced avunculate marriages among its rulers, as evidenced by several royal unions between uncles and nieces.

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Which ancient civilization is particularly noted for the frequent practice of avunculate marriage among its royal families?

Answer: Ancient Egypt

Explanation: The text highlights Ancient Egypt as a civilization where avunculate marriage was a frequent practice, particularly among its royalty.

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What specific term denotes the culturally preferred marriage of a daughter to her maternal uncle in South India?

Answer: Maman Kalyanam

Explanation: The practice of marrying a daughter to her maternal uncle in South India is culturally referred to as Maman Kalyanam.

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Religious and Ethical Considerations

Within Jewish tradition, marriage between an aunt and her nephew is permitted, while marriage between an uncle and his niece is forbidden.

Answer: False

Explanation: Jewish law, as interpreted by the Talmud and Maimonides, permits marriage between an uncle and his niece. Conversely, marriage between an aunt and her nephew is forbidden.

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Historically, Christian doctrine universally condemned all forms of avunculate marriage.

Answer: False

Explanation: Historically, particularly within medieval and early-modern Christianity and among royal houses, avunculate marriages were not universally condemned and could be legalized through papal dispensation.

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Islamic jurisprudence permits marriage between an uncle and his niece when they share a blood relationship.

Answer: False

Explanation: Islamic law explicitly forbids marriage between an uncle and his niece if they are related by blood.

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In Judaism, the marriage of an uncle to his niece is considered forbidden by the Torah.

Answer: False

Explanation: Jewish law, as interpreted by the Talmud and Maimonides, permits marriage between an uncle and his niece, although some interpretations differ.

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What is the Jewish perspective regarding marriage between an aunt and her nephew?

Answer: It is forbidden.

Explanation: Within Jewish law, marriage between an aunt and her nephew is explicitly forbidden.

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Historically, what mechanism did the Catholic Church employ to address avunculate marriages, particularly within royal families?

Answer: A papal dispensation could be obtained to legalize them.

Explanation: In historical contexts, particularly for royal families, the Catholic Church could grant a papal dispensation to legalize avunculate marriages that might otherwise be prohibited.

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What is the Islamic legal position on marriage between an uncle and his niece when they are related by blood?

Answer: Forbidden.

Explanation: Islamic law explicitly prohibits marriage between an uncle and his niece if they are related by blood.

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Notable Historical Examples

The House of Habsburg frequently practiced avunculate marriages, leading to genetic issues in descendants like Charles II of Spain.

Answer: True

Explanation: The House of Habsburg is historically noted for its practice of avunculate marriages, and the lineage of Charles II of Spain exemplifies the potential genetic consequences of such consanguineous unions.

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Jochebed marrying her nephew Amram is cited as an example of an avunculate marriage in ancient history.

Answer: True

Explanation: The union of Jochebed and Amram, where Jochebed was Amram's aunt, is cited as an instance of avunculate marriage within ancient historical and religious texts.

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Adolf Hitler's parents, Alois and Klara Hitler, were uncle and niece.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source material confirms that Adolf Hitler's parents, Alois and Klara Hitler, were related as uncle and niece.

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Herod the Great married his niece, and his son Herod Antipas married his half-niece Herodias.

Answer: True

Explanation: Historical accounts mention that Herod the Great married his niece, and his son Herod Antipas married his half-niece Herodias.

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The House of Habsburg is recognized for its frequent practice of avunculate marriages. Which Spanish monarch's lineage serves as a prominent example of the genetic consequences stemming from this practice?

Answer: Charles II

Explanation: The lineage of Charles II of Spain, whose parents and grandparents were involved in uncle-niece marriages, exemplifies the genetic consequences of the Habsburgs' frequent practice of avunculate unions.

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What was a significant genetic consequence observed in the lineage resulting from the frequent avunculate marriages practiced by the House of Habsburg?

Answer: A reduced number of distinct ancestors for certain individuals.

Explanation: The frequent avunculate marriages within the House of Habsburg led to a reduction in the number of distinct ancestors for certain individuals in subsequent generations, as exemplified by Charles II of Spain.

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Which of the following pairings constitutes an avunculate marriage explicitly mentioned within the provided text?

Answer: Philip II of Spain and Anna of Austria (his niece)

Explanation: The marriage of Philip II of Spain to his niece Anna of Austria is cited as an example of an avunculate marriage.

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Within the context of historical East Asian dynasties, which emperor is documented as having married his nieces Princess Ōta, Princess Ōe, and Princess Niitabe?

Answer: Emperor Tenmu

Explanation: Emperor Tenmu of Japan is recorded as having married his nieces, including Princess Ōta, Princess Ōe, and Princess Niitabe.

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