The graph shows the expected life span (the age to which people are expected to live in years) for people of different ages during the 20th century in one country.
There have been many biological developments that have contributed to our understanding of the identification, treatment and prevention of disease.
Evaluate the impact of these developments on the expected life span. In your answer, include reference to trends in the data provided. (8 marks)
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→ For all ages listed in the graph, life expectancy increased during the 20th century.
→ The lifespan from birth has increased more significantly than other ages ~ 48 to 74 years.
→ The smallest increase being for 60 year olds at ~ 5 years.
→ The ability to understand pathogens and the causes of infectious disease (Koch and Pasteur) has led to early identification and treatment of childhood illnesses such as rubella, polio and whooping cough.
→ Koch and Pasteur established germ theory, culture techniques and a set of postulates to follow in order to create the link between a particular pathogen and disease.
→ Vaccines to combat childhood illnesses were developed through a knowledge of germ theory.
→ The infant/childhood mortality rate has improved significantly, and hence life expectancy, due to the immunity provided by vaccines.
→ An understanding of inherited disorders has also improved lifespans with early diagnosis and prenatal genetic screening for genetic disorders and illnesses.
→ Antibiotic remedies were developed to combat bacterial diseases such as Staphylococcus aureus, due to an understanding of the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
→ With the use of antibiotics many diseases were then no longer life threatening, leading to improved mortality rates across all ages.
→ However, bacterial resistance has resulted with the overuse of antibiotics, so some diseases are now unresponsive to antibiotic treatment.
→ Epidemiology studies involving intricate planning and design, control groups and large scale analysis of data have lead to improvements in the treatment of non-infectious diseases such as cancer.
→ For example the discovery of links between smoking and lung cancer, sun exposure and melanoma, obesity and type II diabetes, has lead to widespread public health campaigns to inform people of the health risks and lowered the associated mortality rates.
→ Improved hygiene, food storage and preservation, and water filtration also occurred in the 20th century leading to fewer preventable diseases and hence increased life spans for all age groups.
→ Improved quarantine requirements have helped prevent the spread of plant, animal and human diseases via international travel.
→In conclusion, developments in biology have lead to increased life expectancy across all age groups, with the biggest improvements for babies and children.
→ These benefits are not necessarily a worldwide phenomenon as poor living conditions and access to medical treatment is not available in many poor socioeconomic communities.
→ For all ages listed in the graph, life expectancy increased during the 20th century.
→ The lifespan from birth has increased more significantly than other ages ~ 48 to 74 years.
→ The smallest increase being for 60 year olds at ~ 5 years.
→ The ability to understand pathogens and the causes of infectious disease (Koch and Pasteur) has led to early identification and treatment of childhood illnesses such as rubella, polio and whooping cough.
→ Koch and Pasteur established germ theory, culture techniques and a set of postulates to follow in order to create the link between a particular pathogen and disease.
→ Vaccines to combat childhood illnesses were developed through a knowledge of germ theory.
→ The infant/childhood mortality rate has improved significantly, and hence life expectancy, due to the immunity provided by vaccines.
→ An understanding of inherited disorders has also improved lifespans with early diagnosis and prenatal genetic screening for genetic disorders and illnesses.
→ Antibiotic remedies were developed to combat bacterial diseases such as Staphylococcus aureus, due to an understanding of the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
→ With the use of antibiotics many diseases were then no longer life threatening, leading to improved mortality rates across all ages.
→ However, bacterial resistance has resulted with the overuse of antibiotics, so some diseases are now unresponsive to antibiotic treatment.
→ Epidemiology studies involving intricate planning and design, control groups and large scale analysis of data have lead to improvements in the treatment of non-infectious diseases such as cancer.
→ For example the discovery of links between smoking and lung cancer, sun exposure and melanoma, obesity and type II diabetes, has lead to widespread public health campaigns to inform people of the health risks and lowered the associated mortality rates.
→ Improved hygiene, food storage and preservation, and water filtration also occurred in the 20th century leading to fewer preventable diseases and hence increased life spans for all age groups.
→ Improved quarantine requirements have helped prevent the spread of plant, animal and human diseases via international travel.
→In conclusion, developments in biology have lead to increased life expectancy across all age groups, with the biggest improvements for babies and children.
→ These benefits are not necessarily a worldwide phenomenon as poor living conditions and access to medical treatment is not available in many poor socioeconomic communities.
