Chapter 17 Flashcards
what is lifespan or longevity?
Is the length of time a person can live under the best
circumstances.
life expectancy
number of years a person in a given population can expect to live
Ageism
Prejudice against people because of their age; stereotypes that paint
older people in a certain way affects how one responds to them
Cataracts
clouding of the lenses, usually requiring surgery to correct
Glaucoma
buildup of fluid pressure inside the eyeball, which can lead to tunnel vision and
no peripheral vision or blindness
Presbycusis
Age-related hearing loss that affects about one person in three
over the age of 65
Osteoporosis
Disorder where bones lose so much calcium that they become
prone to breakage; most serious are hip fractures
Sleep apnea
Person stops breathing repeatedly during the night, causing
awakenings; linked to increased risk of heart attacks and strokes
programmed theories
aging as the result of genetic instructions
Cellular damage theories
propose that aging results from damages to cells
what are aging and longevity based on
a biological clock governed by genes
Cellular Clock Theory
focuses on built-in limits of cell division; after dividing about
50 times, human cells cease dividing and eventually die
telomeres
(the protective segments of DNA
at the tips of chromosomes); telomeres shrink each time a cell divides
what happens when loss of telomeres reach a critical point
then they are no longer able to function; because the length of telomeres for a species determines the number of times a cell can divide and survive
Hormonal Stress theory
Hormonal stress theory focuses on the endocrine system, which releases
hormones into the bloodstream.
what kind of changes do hormonal changes foster
puberty an menopause; diabetes, osteoporosis and heart disease
Immunological Theory
the immune system is preset to decline by an internal biological clock. antibodies decline with age
Wear and Tear Theory
Over the years, our bodies — as machines that wear out through use —
become less capable of repairing themselves.
Free-Radical Theory
attributes aging to damage caused by the accumulation
of unstable molecules called free radicals, produced during metabolism by
oxidation, possibly damaging cell proteins, membranes, and DNA
Cross Linking Theory
-cell proteins bind to one another in a process called cross-linking,
thereby toughening tissues.
-Cross-linking stiffens collagen — the connective tissue supporting tendons,
ligaments, cartilage, and bone; this results in coarse, dry skin.
Normal Aging
Physiological processes decline slowly with age, enabling the
person to enjoy life into late adulthood
Pathological aging
Chronic diseases or degenerative processes, such as
heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, lead to disability and death
three major causes of death
cancer, heart disease, and respiratory disease
elder bais
discrimination against older people by some health professionals