Age-Related Changes Flashcards
What happens to your melanocytes as you get older?
Fewer and slower melanocytes; hair and skin become paler; greater risk for sunburn
What happens to sebaceous gland secretions as you get older?
Decreased secretions; skin becomes drier and more prone to cracking
What happens as a result of decreased germinative cell division with age?
Thinning epidermis; more prone to injury, tears, infection; slower skin repair; decreased vitamin D3 production which results in muscle weakness and brittle bones
What happens to the number of dendritic cells as you get older?
Decreased number of dendritic cells = less immune response; increased damage. infection, and risk of cancer
What causes sagging and wrinkling in elderly skin?
Fewer elastic fibres and thinner dermis
Why do the elderly have a greater risk of overheating?
Less active merocrine sweat glands
Why do elderly feel cold faster and less able to reduce body temperature?
Reduced blood supply
Why do old people have thinner hair?
Less active hair follicles = less hair produced and thinner, finer hairs
What happens as a result of reduced sex hormones?
Altered hair and fat distribution; less epidermal cell division; fewer dendritic cells
What hormones are required for healthy skin? (at appropriate levels) 5
1) thyroid hormone - maintain normal blood flow
2) sex hormones - epidermal cell division; stimulate dendritic cell production
3) growth factors: (e.g. EGF, epidermal growth factor) - stimulate germinative cell division; epidermal repair; gland secretion
4) growth hormone - stimulates fibroblast activity (collagen synthesis); germinative cell division; wound repair
5) calcitriol - synthesized by the kidneys in response to cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) production by epidermis or ingestion of fish, milk, soy milk; required for absorption of calcium and phosphorus by the small intestine. Calcium and phosphate are required for bone maintenance and muscle and nerve function
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