Lifespan: The existence of life on Earth is mostly dependent on specific activities and processes. Certain critical vital activities are required for an organism to be healthy and for the organ systems of the body to function properly. They are needed for survival. These basic vital operations carried out by an organism are referred to as life processes.

Each creature can only survive for a given amount of time. Some people can live for a longer amount of time while others live for a shorter period of time, i.e. some people have longer Lifespans while others have shorter Lifespans. Mayflies have an extremely limited life span and can only survive for a day or two, however, the Banyan tree may live for a thousand years. But what exactly is Lifespan? Why does it differ between species? Read further to find more.

Define Lifespan

According to Collins dictionary- “The lifespan of a person, animal, or plant is the period of time for which they live or are normally expected to live.”

Lifespan Diagram

Fig: Lifespan of Some Living Things

What is Lifespan?

Lifespan is the period of time of any living organism between its birth and natural death. It varies from person to person. One related term to it is life expectancy, which refers to the average number of years that a person can live or is expected to live.

Every individual has a definite beginning and end. In an organism like we humans or any other animal, life starts by the formation of a diploid zygote which undergoes various stages of development to form a complete organism which after a certain period of time becomes dead and is called the end of the life.

Different species have different lifespans. This is determined by heredity. In the genetic material, instructions are present about the time range that a species can live in the most favourable conditions. Though environmental conditions may reduce or increase the upper age limit.

Lifespan of Various Species

Lifespan can be short or long depending on their genetic information. Lifespan doesn’t necessarily depend much upon the shape and sizes of the plants or animals. Like that of parrots and crows. Both have almost the same size but their lifespan varies. In the case of plants also, we can take the example of a Mango tree and a Banyan tree.

Lifespan of both of these trees varies. Banyan trees can live longer than Mango trees. Lifespan of plants is dependent on the effects of the environment including soil and weather conditions, competing plants, disease-causing microbes, and herbivores.

Plants can be classified into the following types based on their lifespan. These are:
1. Annuals- It refers to the plant that completes its life cycle in one year. E.g. corn, mustard, rice, etc.
2. Biennials- It refers to the plant that completes its life cycle in two years. E.g. radish, onions, etc.
3. Perennials- These plants complete their life cycle in more than two years. E.g. candytuft, lavender, etc.

Lifespan of Certain Animals

Animals	Average lifespan (in years)
Ant	\(1.5\)
Asian Elephant	\(40\)
Bat	\(24\)
Turtle	\(123\)
Chicken	\(15\)
Chimpanzee	\(40\)
Cow	\(22\)
Dog	\(22\)
Eagle	\(55\)
Elephant	\(70\)
Fox	\(14\)
Goat	\(15\)
Gorilla	\(20\)
Horse	\(40\)
Human	\(70-80\)
Hummingbird	\(8\)
Kangaroo	\(9\)
Mouse	\(4\)

Lifespan of Certain Plants

Plants	Average Lifespan (in years)
Peach	\(10-15\)
Dogwood	Approx. \(920\)
Apple	\(35-45\)
Cottonwood	\(>100\)
Blue spruce	\(150-350\)
Oak tree	\(>200\)
American Beech	\(300-400\)
White pine	\(200-450\)
Red wood	\(1250-2000\)
Peepal tree	\(2500\)
Banyan tree	\(200-500\)
Mango tree	\(100-200\)
Custard Apple	\(3-4\)

Human Lifespan Development Stages 

Human lifespan development has the following stages. These are:-

1. Infancy (0-2): This stage starts from birth itself and ends at two years of age. This is the phase when there is a formation of bonding between the child and his mother or caregiver. During this stage, a child is almost dependent on their parents or caregiver.

2. Childhood (2-10): This stage starts at the age of two and ends at ten years of age. Children start getting independent of their parents and can decide what is wrong and what is right. They learn to do things themselves and start having self-control.

3. Adolescence (10-20): “It is a transitional period of physical and mental development which occurs between childhood and adulthood is called adolescence.” It starts after the age of \(10\) and ends at the age of \(20.\) During this stage, there is a sudden spurt in the body growth of the child which becomes noticeable. Now, at this stage, these changes indicate that a child is no longer a child but an adult. During this age, a child wants to make his own identity and wants to be totally of any boundation. 

4. Adulthood (20-65): This is divided into two, i.e. early adulthood and middle age.
a. Early adulthood: This stage starts at the age of \(20\) and ends at the age of \(40.\) During this stage, a child tries to focus on his career and gets financially stable. They also select a proper partner for themselves to get settled.
b. Middle age: This stage starts at the age of \(40\) and ends at the age of 65. During this stage, a person expands his social and personal involvements and responsibilities. He gets involved in building the career of his child.

5. Older Age or late adulthood or senescence (65+): It is the stage when a person has to adjust to the changed or new environment. It is the time when a person gets of all responsibilities like that of advancing career, looking after children, etc. Some of the sensory and perceptual skills, muscular strength tend to diminish with age. Memory also gets weakened but there is no proper evidence.

For all the above changes that are listed above for a human body needs a properly balanced diet. Without proper nutrition, a child cannot grow and develop. Right from the womb itself, a child needs nutrition to grow and develop.

Factors on which Lifespan of Human Beings Depend:

1.Gender: According to some studies females may live longer than males.

2. Genetics: A child can inherit certain diseases from parents which can be fatal. Some of the diseases are like-
a. Cancer
b. Heart diseases
c. Respiratory problems
d. Alzheimer’s disease
e. Influenza and pneumonia
f. Diabetes
These diseases increase the death rate.

3. Prenatal and Childhood Conditions: This accounts for the unhealthy conditions in the womb of the mother which is associated with high death rates. The early childhood environment also affects the longevity of a child.

4. Education: Education helps the person to know the bad and good effects of certain things. Like- tobacco is harmful and can lead to various dangerous diseases like cancer. If a person knows this, he would prefer not to have it and may live longer. Various diseases are associated with obesity so a person should not eat much. Through education, a person can know how to keep his/her health in good condition and in turn can increase his/her longevity.

5. Socio-economic Status: Good socioeconomic status is also associated with the low mortality rate according to IFA. With good status, good medical care can be accessed easily. Other good habits are also associated with it like exercising daily, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, no smoking, etc.

6. Marital Status: According to IFA, marital status is related to low mortality rates. A good relationship can increase longevity as it decreases depression, negativity, increases good cardiac health, etc.

7. Medical Technology: Advance medical technologies are related to low mortality rates. This includes development in medicine, surgery, medical care, etc.

Summary

Life span is the period from birth to the natural death of an organism and it includes the growth of an organism from the time of birth till its death. Lifespan development refers to age-related changes that occur from birth till throughout a persons’ life. The life span of different plants and animals varies and is dependent on a number of factors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Lifespan

Q.1. What is the lifespan of elephants?
Ans: The lifespan of elephants is \(65\) years.

Q.2. What is the lifespan of humans?
Ans: The lifespan of a human is to be \(85-90\) years of age.

Q.3. What is the lifespan of a rice plant?
Ans: It is \(3-7\) months.

Q.4. Can a person live to 200 years old?
Ans: A person can live his life for long years if stress is removed from his life. Uncertain deaths are due to health problems at early stages, murder, accidents, etc. A person may live for \(200\) years if more advancement in technologies for health gets evolved.

Q.5. What is the lifespan? Give an example.
Ans: The lifespan of a person, animal, or plant is the period of time for which they live or are normally expected to live. The example of a lifespan is \(8\) years in which a hummingbird lives.

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