biological system Flashcards
aging is accompanied by a number of universal and anticipated changes to biological systems
cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, immune, nervous, integumentary, musculo-skeletal, reproductive, respiratory, urinary
Cardiovascular
Thickening left ventricle wall resulting in larger, less efficient heart; reduced and irregular heartbeat; reduced elasticity of arteries
digestive
Weakened esophageal contractions;esophageal sphincter; reduced elasticity of stomach; increased vulnerability to lactose intolerance
endocrine
Reduced reproductive hormones, reduced thyroid hormone; insulin resistance
immune
Increased vulnerability to infection (produces less proteins); increased autoimmune responses (body attacks itself; ie arthritis); reduced responsiveness to vaccinations
Nervous
Reduced visual(eyes become more yellow)/auditory(loss of hearing)/tactile acuity; decreased olfactory and gustatory sensitivity; structural and functional changes to brain;
integumentary
Thinning of epidermis, dermis, subcutis, reduced elasticity of skin, reduced ability to filter UV radiation
musculo-skeletal
Reduced bone density, muscle mass, increased rigidity of ligaments, tendones; thinning of cartilage
reproductive
Menopause (decreased estrogen production); “andropause”; changes in sexual functioning
respiratory
Reduced peak air flow; reduced gas exchanges; increased breathlessness
urinary
Reduced kidney size, increased rigidity and decreased capacity of the bladder; urinary incontinence
With respect to structural changes to brain; research has demonstrated brain atrophy with age:
Decreases in volume of 0.2% per year after age 35 and 0.5% per year after age 60
Shrinkage of gryi and widening of sulci
Shrinkage of specific regions (vulnerable regions include: prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum)
Age related structural changes to brain
Shrinkage of gyri (outward folds)
Widening of sulci (inward folds)
Shrinkage of prefrontal cortex
Shrinkage of hippocampus (memory)
Shrinkage of cerebellum
1)Dopamine
Associated with attention, memory, movement, reward/reinforcement
produced in substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area (VTA) in midbrain
Evidence suggests dopamine functionality decreases with age
Decreases across the dopamine system (ie:receptors, synthesis capacity, transporters) range from —-per decade between young adulthood and older adulthood
3.7-14%
Transporter on presynaptic cell takes back some dopamine that is not reuptaken
Synthesis of dopamine decreases the lease/remains stable
Largest decline in Transporters (reduction of 14%)
Reuptake of dopamine decreases
2)Serotonin
Associated with mood, feeding, sleep, sexual behavior
Produced in the raphe nuclei of brainstem
2 billion neurons in our brain associated with the use of serotonin
Evidence suggest serotonin functionality decreases with age
Decreases across the serotonin system range from —- per decade between young adulthood and older adulthood
1.5-7%
Despite structural and functional changes noted above, research has demonstrated ongoing —–of the brain in older adulthood
neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity(brain plasticity);
examples include development of new neurons (in hippocampus,olfactory bulb) and neuronal connections/synapses
As we get older we are still able to create new synapses
theories proposed to explain biological aging
1)genetic theories of aging
2)telomere theory of aging
3)free radical theory of aging
genetic theory of aging
aging is determined by genes that influence longevity and disease
aging is observed by majority of species
Maximum life span for various species:
correlation between brain size and lifespan( bigger brain=higher life span)
Small correlation between body size and lifespan (bigger bodies have shorter life span)
High Metabolic rate tend to have shorter life spans (loose negative correlation)
Gompertz law:
human mortality rate doubles every 8 years
Suggesting genes play a role in our life span