Ageing

Question 1

Cellular ageing

Answer 1

Gradual accumulation of cellular damage

causes progressive dysfunction

such as genomic instability
loss of proteostasis
telomere attrition (Gawande, 2014)

Question 2

What is the definition of healthy ageing?

Answer 2

Process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enable well being in older age

Question 3

Explain how ageing affects skin

Answer 3

Changes in extracellular matrix of the dermis

• reduction in collagen and elastin
• composition of glycoaminoglycans

Question 4

What is epithelial?

Answer 4

A continuous sheet of cells supported by connective tissue, collagen, elastin and reticular fibres

Question 5

Explain how ageing can increase the risk of skin tears

Answer 5

Thinnes and lack of fatty tissue

Impaired wound healing due to decreased blow flow to the skin and compromised immune system

Reduced ability to retain moisture and maintain firmness

Dry skin is prone to tearing

Question 6

Explain how ageing affects muscle

Answer 6

Reduction in muscle mass and fibres

Control and power is decline

Active muscle fibres are replaced with connective tissue which is collagen rich and non-contractile.

Increased amount of fat in tissue means that mitochondrial energy production is is less efficient.

Muscle does not promote stamina

Question 7

Explain how ageing affects Bone

Answer 7

Increase in decalcification

Bone density decreases

More prone to fracture

Question 8

What makes the bone hard?

Answer 8

Calcium and potassium salts

Question 9

How does ageing affect ability of bone to repair and replace itself?

Answer 9

Activity of osteocytes, osteoclasts and osteoblasts reduce with age, impacting the ability of the bone to mend itseld