lˈaɪf spˈæn ɹᵻfˈɜːz tə dʊɹɹˈeɪʃən ʌv lˈaɪf ænd kˌæɹɪktɚɹˈɪstɪks ðæt ɑːɹ klˈoʊsli ɹᵻlˈeɪɾᵻd tʊ ˈeɪdʒ bˌʌt ðæt vˈɛɹi lˈɪɾəl əkɹˌɑːs tˈaɪm ænd plˈeɪs.
Life span refers to duration of life and characteristics that are closely related to age but that vary little across time and place.