Ch. 1

Question 1

Biogerontology

Answer 1

The study of biological aging

Question 2

What was the primary cause of death before the 20th century

Answer 2

Infectious diseases

Question 3

The creation of what two professional societies marked the beginning of organized aging research in the
the United States?

Answer 3

Gerontological Society of America and the American Geriatrics Society

Question 4

Life Expectancy at birth is defined as

Answer 4

The average number of years a newborn is expected to live if current mortality rates continue to apply

Question 5

Life span.

Answer 5

The length of life of an individual

Question 6

Does income affect life expectancy? If so, why and in which direction?

Answer 6

Yes, because people who make more money are able to afford the medicines, procedures, and operations
required to correct their health issues, thus possibly extending their life expectancy. The wealthy also tend to live in areas with better air and water quality, and which are safer, in general

Question 7

What is the branch of medicine that deals with the problems and diseases of old age and aging people?

Answer 7

Geriatrics

Question 8

Distinguish between distal and proximal aging and give an example of each.

Answer 8

Distal aging is when life events impact aging, but not until later in life. An example of distal aging would be
changes in blood glucose regulation caused by childhood obesity. Proximal aging is when life events have a
direct and immediate impact on a person. An example of proximal aging would be an alteration in the
structure and function of the insulin receptor on a cell membrane due to changes in blood glucose regulation
caused by childhood obesity

Question 9

Compare the meanings of function-based and mortality-based definitions of aging and why are function-based
preferred over mortality-based definitions?

Answer 9

Functional based aging refers to how a person’s ability to function deteriorates over time the older they
become. This leaves a person unable to function the same as they did when they were at their peak
intellectual and physical performance level (full growth). As one ages and their ability to function decreases it
can make everyday activities a challenge increasing the possibility of accidents that can be life threatening.
Mortality- based aging refers to the increased risk of death as one gets older. Functional based definitions are
preferred because they describe aging over time using processes that can be measured and evaluated. They
also designate a certain time frame in which to review aging, post maturation. Mortality-based aging is not as
useful in assessing the biological changes associated with aging. It is more useful when looking at aging trends
in a population. Mortality-based definitions are better used when death and aging are the same

Question 10

True or False. Cellular aging is distinct from aging of the organism.

Answer 10

True. They may share some aspects, but they are distinct. Cellular aging does not directly predict aging of the organism

Question 11

explain the stochastic nature of cellular aging.

Answer 11

A process that has a probability distribution or pattern that may be analyzed statistically but may not be predicted precisely

Question 12

True or False. Aging and disease can’t be distinguished from each other.

Answer 12

False

Question 13

Textbook definition of aging

Answer 13

Aging is a random change in the structure and function of molecules, cells, and organisms that is caused by the
passage of time and interaction with the environment

Question 14

Distinguish between development, maturity, and senescence.

Answer 14

Development is the stage of life when growth takes place. Generally, it includes positive changes in physical
development. Maturity is when a person attains their final level of growth or slowly begins to decline in
functioning. Senescence is the deterioration that leads to aging and ultimately death

Question 15

Degradation of the matter in the universe to an ultimate state of inert uniformity is defined as

Answer 15

Entropy

Question 16

Describe at least two reasons WHY model systems MUST be used to study human aging?

Answer 16

One reason why model systems are used is that ethical and practical considerations limit the type of
research that can be done in humans, and the second reason why model systems are used is that research
using isolated cell systems can provide insights into the basic biochemistry of aging.

Question 17

When using cell cultures to study aging, why are replicating cell cultures most commonly used?

Answer 17

Replicating cell cultures are most commonly used when studying aging because scientists are able to sample
the cells at different times throughout the life span and can evaluate sequence, replication, and death

Question 18

State an advantage AND a disadvantage to each of the following model systems used for studying aging in
humans.

Answer 18

Fungi
An advantage would be that they survive in virtually every environment on earth. A disadvantage would be
the major structural and functional differences between them and humans
Sponges
An advantage would be the extreme longevity of sponges that is attributed to their continual growth. A
disadvantage would be the transition between somatic cells and germ cells. It is believed that germ cells
protect the sponge from damage and is the reason for its longevity. So, sponges are not similar to humans
Insects:
An advantage would be the short life span and high rate of reproduction of insects which allows scientists to
manipulate their environment (change in temperature, food, and light) to study the impacts of the changes
and obtain the results quickly. It also allows researchers to manipulate variables and evaluate how changes
impact longevity. A disadvantage is that it is not a perfect way of studying biological aging in humans because only a handful of species have been studied
Mice and rats
An advantage would be that they have similarities between rodent and human physiology, and cellular
function. A disadvantage would be animal rights concerns
Nonhuman primates
An advantage would be that they display many of the time-dependent physiological declines that are also
observed in humans. A disadvantage would be the limited types of research due to ethical concerns of conducting experiments on close relatives

Question 19

The study of wild species that show resistance to aging and extended longevity in environments that are
otherwise conducive to short life spans is called

Answer 19

Comparative biogerontology

Question 20

Body size relation to maximum life span

Answer 20

The hypothesis that large mammals live longer than smaller ones is not valid across all species. Humans
do not fit into this pattern. Although they have the longest life span, they are not the largest
mammals. Nor does it necessarily apply to nonhuman primates. Their longevity is attributable to their
intelligence

Question 21

Brain size relation to longevity

Answer 21

Although larger animals tend to have a larger and more complex brain, thus having more intelligence
and greater longevity, it is not necessarily valid because brain size is not the best predictor of
longevity. The sizes of internal organs such as the liver, heart, and spleen, which tend to be determined
by the size of the body, are better predictors of longevity.

Question 22

Basal metabolic rate relation to maximum life span

Answer 22

Basal metabolic rate is the rate at which a body uses energy while it is at rest to keep vital bodily
functions operating. It is believed that individuals and species with a lower basal metabolic rate live
longer than those with a higher basal metabolic rate. That is, the greater the rate of energy