Photo AI
Birth defects in humans can be caused by chromosomal abnormalities - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 24 - 2022 - Paper 1
Question 24
Birth defects in humans can be caused by chromosomal abnormalities. | Maternal age (years) | Prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities (per 1000 births) | |----------... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Birth defects in humans can be caused by chromosomal abnormalities - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 24 - 2022 - Paper 1
Step 1
Draw a suitable graph of the data provided in the table.
Answer
To accurately represent the data, the graph should have:
- Axes and Labels: The x-axis (horizontal) will represent "Maternal Age (years)" and the y-axis (vertical) will represent "Prevalence of Chromosomal Abnormalities (per 1000 births)".
- Data Points: Plot the points based on the values in the table:
- (20, 1.5)
- (30, 3)
- (35, 8)
- (40, 22)
- (45, 38)
- Scale: Ensure the scale on both axes is appropriate to capture all data clearly.
- Line of Best Fit: After plotting the points, draw a smooth curve that represents the trend of the data effectively, showing an increasing trend, especially after the age of 30.
Step 2
Outline the main features of the trend.
Answer
As maternal age increases, the prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities generally increases. Notably, after the age of 30, there is a significant increase in prevalence, indicating a rapid rise in risk as age progresses. This suggests that older maternal age is linked to higher risks of chromosomal abnormalities.