Ageing Theories

Question 1

As less infants are dyeing and we are living longer it is important to ensure that the additional years of life are in good health. What is the fastest growing population in the UK?

1 - 15-30 y/o
2 - 30-45 y/o
3 - 50-70 y/o
4 - >85s y/o

Answer 1

4 - >85s y/o

Question 2

Which of the following have contributed to changes in how long patients are living for?

1 - reduced infant mortality
2 - increased standard of living
3 - improved public health
4 - increased life expectancy
5 - all of the above

Answer 2

5 - all of the above

Question 3

What does the compression of morbidity relate to?

1 - 1 year of woe for 1 additional year living
2 - <1 year of woe for 1 additional year living
3 - no additional woe for additional year living
4 - less woe for additional year living

Answer 3

4 - less woe for additional year living

• idea that people will live longer without additional woe, or if they do its only at the end of life

Question 4

Is life expectancy the only important thing to consider when looking at the health of a population?

Answer 4

• no
• this is an important marker
• BUT does not account for if this is healthy living

Question 5

Is ageing classed as a disease?

Answer 5

• no
• most relevant to humans though as most animals typically die from infection, predation or lack of food

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a theory on why we age?

1 - wear and tear
2 - adaptive evolution
3 - non-adaptive evolution
4 - malignancy

Answer 6

4 - malignancy

Question 7

One theory of aging is wear and tear that occurs in osteoarthritis, teeth decay and skin. However, what organ goes against this theory?

1 - brain
2 - heart
3 - liver
4 - spleen

Answer 7

3 - liver
- possess ability to regenerate
- other animals can do this as well

Question 8

Adaptive evolution has been identified as a theory of ageing, which prevents older adults from competing, prevents over crowding and limits competition for resources. What does the hypothesis relate to that happens to humans in ageing?

1 - telomeres are programmed to be short to end life early
2 - DNA is programmed to become more fragile and accumulate damage
3 - genes have evolved to program end of life
4 - all of the above

Answer 8

4 - all of the above

• however, some argue this is unlikely

Question 9

The non-adaptive evolution has been identified as a theory of ageing. This is based around antagonistic pleiotropy, what is this?

1 - multiple genes are programmed to elicit early end of life
2 - genes with benefits when young may come at a cost in later life
3 - 2 copies of same gene is detrimental in later life
4 - all of the above

Answer 9

2 - genes with benefits when young may come at a cost in later life

• genes important for fertility and fitness are excellent when young, but come at a high cost in ageing
• evolution accepts this trade off

Question 10

The disposable Soma theory has been identified as a theory of ageing. This model relates to the allocation of what that is important for survival and effective reproduction?

1 - remaining safe
2 - metabolic resources
3 - suitable partner selection
4 - all of the above

Answer 10

2 - metabolic resources
- organisms allocates energy for reproduction and survival

• if likelihood of death is high due to environment, then there is no point in allocating energy for longevity

Question 11

There are a number of mechanism linked to ageing. One of these is neuroendocrine. In women 2 stages in their life cycle are linked to neuroendocrine ageing?

1 - menopause
2 - pregnancy
3 - being born
4 - perimenopause

Answer 11

1 - menopause
4 - perimenopause

• low follicle-stimulating hormone and oestrogen levels results in low BMD

Question 12

There are a number of mechanism linked to ageing. One of these is neuroendocrine. In men this is called andropause. This is associated with which of the following that is linked to neuroendocrine ageing?

1 - falling testosterone in men >65 y/o
2 - reduced pulsatile luteinizing hormone
3 - sarcopenia
4 - low libido and BMD
5 - all of the above

Answer 12

5 - all of the above

Question 13

Genetics has been associated with ageing, with evidence shown in Drosiphilia and C.Elegans, and human evidence in twin studies. What % is genetics associated with in humans?

1 - 1-2%
2 - 10-15%
3 - 15-30%
4 - 40-50%

Answer 13

3 - 15-30%
- epigenetics is also important

Question 14

Senescence has been associated with ageing, where cells are said to have a limited number of mitotic divisions. After this they go into cellular senescence, a state of arrest that limits cellular function and contributes to ageing. What is this process called?

1 - Hawthorne limit
2 - Hayflick limit
3 - Glasgow limit
4 - Haddenfield effect

Answer 14

2 - Hayflick limit
- estimated to be 40-60 times

Question 15

Telemeres, which are what stabilise the chromosome during mitosis are said to do what as part of the ageing theory?

1 - lengthen
2 - destabilise DNA
3 - shorten
4 - become fibrotic

Answer 15

3 - shorten
- reach a point where no further mitosis can occur

Question 16

Which of the following have been identified as contributing factors that can lead to cellular senescence?

1 - mitochondrial dysfunction
2 - DNA damage
3 - increased free radicals
4 - dysfunctional proteins accumulation
5 - all of the above

Answer 16

5 - all of the above

• DNA damage linked with:
  Endogenous factors – reactive oxygen species
  Exogenous factors – UV light, ionising radiation, chemicals (like tobacco)