Ch. 3 Physical Changes

Question 1

What does the metabolic theory say about life expectancy?

Answer 1

Life expectancy is related to metabolic rate. This means that we only have so much energy to expend in one lifetime.

Question 2

What does the Hayflick Limit theory say about life expectancy?

Answer 2

Life expectancy is dependent on the number of times cells can divide.

Question 3

What limits cell division?

Answer 3

Telomeres (tips of chromosomes)

Question 4

What does the Cross-Linking Theory say about life expectancy?

Answer 4

It states that certain proteins (collagens) produce molecules that make our bodies stiffer over time.

Question 5

How much of the protein in the human body is made up of collagen?

Answer 5

1/3

Question 6

What does the genetic programming theory say about life expectancy?

Answer 6

It states that death is programmed into our genetic code in the form of self-destruct abilities in our cells and evidence that diseases like Alzheimer’s have genetic aspects.

Question 7

What does the Free Radical Theory say about life expectancy?

Answer 7

It states that aging is caused by unstable molecules (free radicals)

Question 8

Our skin wrinkles in what four steps?

Answer 8

1. Outer layer of skin becomes thinner due to cell loss
2. Collagen fibers lose flexibility which makes skin lose its shape
3. Elastin fibers in middle layer lose ability to keep skin stretched (causes sagging)
4. Underlying layer of fat diminishes

Question 9

How does our hair change as we age?

Answer 9

It becomes greyer and thinner

Question 10

How does our voice change as we age?

Answer 10

It becomes thinner and weaker sounding

Question 11

What causes height loss in men and women?

Answer 11

Compression of the spine from loss of bone strength

Question 12

How does weight change as we age?

Answer 12

From 20s - 50s, weight gain occurs due to slowed metabolisms and reduced exercise. Beyond 50s, weight loss occurs.

Question 13

True or False. Greater weight loss per decade from middle age to late life increases risk of mild cognitive impairment.

Answer 13

True

Question 14

Why do women lose twice as much bone mass as men?

Answer 14

Women have less bone mass than men in young adulthood and depletion of estrogen after menopause speeds up bone loss.

Question 15

Why is osteoporosis more common in women?

Answer 15

• Less bone mass
• Lack of consumption of dietary calcium
• Lack of weight-bearing exercises

Question 16

What are two ways you can prevent osteoporosis?

Answer 16

• Consume foods with calcium and take calcium supplements
• Engage in weight-bearing exercises

Question 17

What are the two types of arthritis?

Answer 17

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Question 18

What is osteoarthritis? What treatments are available for it?

Answer 18

Most common form of arthritis. Involves wearing away of cartilage that caps bones in joints.
Treatments include steroids, anti-inflammatory drugs, rest, and nonstressful exercise

Question 19

What is rheumatoid arthritis? What treatments are available?

Answer 19

Arthritis caused by inflammation of synovial membrane. Treatments include aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, disease-modifying rheumatic drugs, glucocorticoids, etc.

Question 20

What are some normative changes that our eye structures go through as we age?

Answer 20

• Decreased amount of light passes through the eye
• Adaptation from darkness to light takes longer
• Lens in eyes become more yellow (makes it harder to discriminate against colors)
• Len’s ability to focus/adjust decreases

Question 21

What is presbyopia?

Answer 21

Difficulty in seeing close objects clearly

Question 22

What are two nonnormative eye structure changes that can occur?

Answer 22

• Cataracts (opaque spots) develop in the eye
• Glaucoma (fluid in eye does not drain properly)

Question 23

Degeneration of macula causes…..

Answer 23

Loss of ability to see details

Question 24

What is the difference between wet and dry age-related macula degeneration?

Answer 24

Wet AMD can be treated with injection while dry AMD cannot be treated.

Question 25

What is the most common age-related hearing problem?

Answer 25

Presbycusis (Reduced sensitivity to high-pitched tones)