Biology Of Aging Flashcards
What is Aging?
PATTERN of LIFE CHANGES that occurs as one grows older
Gerontology
Study of INDIVIDUAL and
COLLECTIVE *aging processes
5 types of ages
1) functional 🏃🏾♀️
2) social - society’s expectations of when something should occur ( becoming parents at a certain age;graduate from high school, college, retire)
3) psychological- cognitive ( ability to learn and remember )and emotional( ability to manage feelings)
4) legal 🍷
5) biological - age of your body’s systems
Geriatrics
MEDICAL SCIENCE that focus on OLDER ADULTS
Do the aspects of the aging process makes us more vulnerable to illness and disease?
Yes
Is PATHOLOGY inevitable with age?
No
What are physical changes of an aging population is related to what?
Lifestyle choices
What makes the biggest impact on someone’s aging?
Lifestyle choices
Normal age-related changes of Head(2)
1) skull thickens
2) head size increases
Normal age-related changes of the Brain (1)
Brain decreases in size
Normal age-related changes of Hair (2)
1) gray and thinner
2) men may go bald
Normal age-related changes Eyesight (2)
1) lenses HARDEN; YELLOW;LOSE TRANSPARENCY
2) ability to see close objects diminishes
Normal age-related changes of the Ears (1)
Ability to hear HIGH frequency sounds diminishes
Normal age-related changes of Lungs(1)
VITAL capacity declines
Normal age-related changes of Urinary system(2)
1) Kidneys filter blood more SLOWLY
2) Bladder’s capacity DECLINES
Normal age-related changes of Bones(1)
Bones become less dense
Normal age-related changes of joints(1)
Wear and tear can cause breakdown of joint CARTILAGE
Normal age-related changes of Face(2)
1) NOSE and EARLOBE become longer
2) WRINKLES from facial expressions and sun exposure develop
Normal age-related changes of Skin (3)
1) Skin becomes THINNER and loses ELASTICITY
2) ⬇️FAT deposits under the skin
3) Age Spots on skin develop
Normal age-related changes of Heart (1)
⬇️Stroke Volume
Normal age-related changes of Reproductive System in Men (1)
⬇️testosterone levels ( ability to attain and maintain erection⬇️)
Normal age-related changes of Reproductive System in Women (3)
1) Menopause leads to ⬇️in estrogen levels that can cause hot flashes or mood swings
2) Vaginal secretions diminish and Vaginal walls become less Elastic
3) Breasts are LESS FIRM
Name 3 BIOLOGICAL changes of Vision that ARE NON-Normative aging ( not normal to aging):
1- cataracts
2- glaucoma
3-macular degeneration
Name 2 BIOLOGICAL changes of Hearing that ARE NON- Normative aging ( not normal to aging):
1-Tinnitus- due to certain disease or medications
2-SIGNIFICANT hearing loss- due to damage to ear structure