ageing and disease Flashcards
mutations in which genes have been associated with familial Alzheimer’s disease?
Presenilin 1.
A gamma secretase 1 component that generates amyloid beta from the amyloid precursor protein.
what is apolipoprotein E? (APOE)
a fat-binding protein that transports cholesterol to neurons
what is clusterin (CLU)?
a chaperone, so promotes proper protein folding
what is TREM2 (triggering receptor expressed on myeloid 2)?
myeloid immunoglobulin receptor that promotes inflammation
what is microtubule associated protein Tau (MAPT)?
protein maintains microtubule stability in astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, but can aggregate to form neurofibrillary tangles
proto-oncogenes are most likely to encode what type of cellular component?
signal transduction proteins.
the proto-oncogens are those that have the potential to up regulate cell growth and differentiation. As most mechanisms that regulate these processes involve signalling pathways, most proto-oncogenes are signal transduction proteins.
Immortalisation is one of the key hallmarks of cancer. Which one of the following is believed to be a key cause of immortalisation of cancer cells in many tumours?
reactivation of telomerase enzyme?
Telomeres are usually shortened with every cell division, which places a limitation on cell lifespan. Depleted telomeres results in apoptosis. Telomerase is an enzyme that is capable of extending telomeres.
what enzyme is capable of extending telomeres?
telomerase
what cells are responsible in the formation of bone matrix?
osteoblasts
cyte vs blast
cyte= mature cell
blast= immature cell
chondro vs osteo
chondro= of the carilage
osteo= of the bones
what is loss of skeletal muscle mass and function with age known as?
sacropenia.
sacro=muscle
penia= lacking
osteopenia vs osteoporosis vs osteoarthritis
osteopenia; lack of bone mass
osteoporosis; causes production of weaker bones
osteoarthritis; arthritis of bones
There are many risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. What is an example of a NON-modifiable risk factor for this disease?
ethnicity
Many people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus actually produce sufficient quantities of insulin. The cause of hyperglycaemia in these people can be caused by what?
insulin resistance
- insulin promotes absorption of glucose into the liver, fat and skeletal muscle cells to maintain normal glycose levels in the blood. Failure to response to insulin results in elevates glucose levels in the bloodstream (hyperglycaemia).
when can a definite diagnosis of alzheimer’s disease be made?
after death?
Dementia is a symptom that can be caused by a number of neurodegenerative disease, which includes Alzheimer’s. Only examination of the patients brain to confirm presence of amyloid beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles can confirm the diagnoses.
what is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease?
increased age
Menopause is a normal part of ageing. discuss.
hormone replacement therapy replaces the oestrogen that the body naturally loses, which can alleviate many of the symptoms associates with menopause.
the loss of healthy primordial follicles means that the body stops producing oestrogen which causes levels of FSH and LH to increase, as well as weight gain.
what affect does menopause have on levels of FSH and LH?
increase.
the loss of healthy primordial follicles means that the body stops producing oestrogen, which causes levels of FSH and LH to increase, as well as weight gain
how aging contributes to the development of diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and dementia.
diabetes;
insulin resistance: as people age, their cells become less responsive to insulin (insulin resistance; can lead to high blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia) and eventually type-2 diabetes.
pancreatic function decline: ageing can impair the function of beta cells in the pancreas which are responsible for producing insulin, this exacerbates the body’s inability to regulate blood glucose levels.
chronic inflammation:
cancer:
accumulation of DNA damage
immune system decline
cellular senescence (cells stop dividing but do not die)
epigenetic changes (alteration in the epigenome- chemical tags on DNA- can activate oncogenes/science tumour suppressor gene)
dementia
neurodegeneration (progressive loss of neurons and synaptic connections)
protein misfolding (proteins like beta-amyloid and tau)
oxidative stress (accumulation of reactive oxygen species, ROS, damages neurone)
vascular changes
telomere shortening; protective caps on ends of chromosomes shorten with each cell division, when telomeres become too short cells can enter senescence/apoptosis, contributing to ageing and disease development
