Ch. 14: Physical, Cognitive, and Mental Health Issues of Later Life

Question 1

Average Longevity

Answer 1

Age at which half of the people born in a particular year will have died

Question 2

Maximum Longevity (Life Expectancy)

Answer 2

Oldest age to which a person lives

Question 3

Active Life Expectancy

Answer 3

Number of years that a person is free from debilitating chronic disease and impairment

Question 4

Dependent Life Expectancy

Answer 4

Number of years a person lives with a debilitating chronic disease in which the person depends on others for care

Question 5

3 Biological Theories of Aging

Answer 5

Metabolic: related to how much energy one can expend

Cellular: cells have a fixed number of times they can divide before dying or free radicals producing highly reactive chemicals causes issues

Genetic Programming Theories: Genetic code-based aging

Question 6

Telomeres

Answer 6

Tips of chromosomes play a major role in aging by adjusting the cell’s response to stress and growth stimulation based on cell divisions and DNA damage, and by typically shortening with each cell replication

Question 7

Telomerase

Answer 7

Enzyme needed in DNA replication to fully reproduce the telomeres when cells divide

Question 8

Free Radicals

Answer 8

Highly reactive chemicals produced randomly in normal metabolism

Question 9

Neurofibrillary Tangles

Answer 9

Spiral-shaped masses formed when fibers that compose the axon become twisted together (axon transmits information inside neuron). Some tangling is normal but large degree is associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia

Question 10

Beta-amyloid

Answer 10

A protein that is the basis for neuritic plaques and is thought to be the basis for dementia

Question 11

Neurotransmitters

Answer 11

chemicals released by neurons in order for them to communicate with each other

Question 12

Structural Neuroimaging

Answer 12

techniques such as CT or MRI scans that provides highly detailed images of anatomical features in the brain

Question 13

Functional Neuroimaging

Answer 13

technique that provides an indication of brain activity but not high anatomical detail

Question 14

Atherosclerosis

Answer 14

Disease caused by calcification and blockages in the arteries

Question 15

Strokes or Cerebral Vascular Accidents (CVAs)

Answer 15

Interruption of the blood flow in the brain dues to blockage or hemorrhage in a cerebral artery

Question 16

Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs)

Answer 16

Interruption of blood flow to the brain; often earing warning sign of stroke

Question 17

Vascular Dementia

Answer 17

Disease caused by numerous small cerebral vascular accidents

Question 18

Presbyopia

Answer 18

Difficulty seeing close objects clearly

Question 19

Glaucoma

Answer 19

disease in which fluid in the eye does not drain properly, causing very high internal pressure that can damage the eye and cause loss of vision

Question 20

Age-related macular degeneration

Answer 20

Progressive and irreversible destruction of receptors from any of a number of causes

Question 21

Diabetic Retinopathy

Answer 21

Eye disease resulting from diabetes and can involve fluid retention in the macula, detachment of the retina, hemorrhage, and aneurysms

Question 22

Presbycusis

Answer 22

Reduced sensitivity to high-pitched tones

Question 23

Diabetes Mellitus

Answer 23

Disease that occurs when the pancreas produces insufficient insulin

Question 24

Speed of Processing

Answer 24

how quickly and efficiently the early in information processing are completed (ex: slamming on the breaks to avoid an accident)

Question 25

Divided Attention

Answer 25

the ability of people to perform more than one task simultaneously

Question 26

Implicit Memory

Answer 26

unconscious remembering of information learned at some earlier time

Question 27

Explicit Memory

Answer 27

Deliberate and conscious remembering of information that is learned and remembered at a specific time

Question 28

Episodic Memory

Answer 28

General class of memory having to do with the conscious recollection of information from a specific time or event

Question 29

Semantic Memory

Answer 29

General class of memory concerning the remember if meanings of words or concepts not tied to a specific time or event. Changes in this are less likely with normal aging and can indicate more serious problem

Question 30

Autobiographical Memory

Answer 30

memory for events that occur during one’s life

Question 31

Dysphoria

Answer 31

Feeling sad or down

Question 32

Alzheimer’s Disease

Answer 32

Marked by gradual declines in memory, attention, and judgment; confusion as to time and place; difficulties in communicating; decline in self-care skills; inappropriate behavior; and personality changes

Question 33

Beta-Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis

Answer 33

theory of Alzheimer’s disease in which beta-amyloid deposits create neuritic plaques, that in turn lead to neurofibrilary tangles, that cause neuronal death and Alzheimer’s disease

Question 34

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

Answer 34

Form of dementia created by repeated head trauma such as concussions (more common in military vets and athletes)