Chapter 17 & 18 Physical and cognative development in late adulthood Flashcards
life span
The upper boundary of life, the maximum number of years an individual can live. the maximum life span of human beings is about 120 to 125 yrs
life expectancy
the number of years that will probably be lived by the average person born in a particular year
evolutionary theory of aging
this theory states that natural selection has not eliminated many harmful conditions and non-adaptive chanracteristics in older adults; thus, the benefits conferred by evolutionary theory decline with age because natural selection is linked to reproductive fitness
cellular clock theory
Leonard Hayflicks theory that the maximum number of times that human cells can devide is about 75 to 80. As we age our cells have less capability to devide
free-radical theory
A mircobiological theory of aging that states that people age because inside their cells normal metabolisim produces unstable oxygen molecules known as free radicals. These molecules ricochet around inside cells, damaging DNA and other cellular structures
mitochondrial theory
The theory that aging is caused by decay of mitochondria, tiny cellular bodies that supply energy for function, growth and repair
hormonal stress theory
The theory that aging in the bodys hormonal system can lower resistance to stress and increase the likelihood of disease
neurogenesis
The generation of new neurons
cataracts
a thickening of the lens of the ey that causes vision to become cloudy, opaque and distorted
glaucoma
Damage to the optic nerve because of the pressure created by a buildup of fluid in the eye
macular degeneration
A disease that involves deterioration of the macula of the retina, which corresponds to the focal centre of visual field
arthriitis
inflamation, stiffness and movement problems; especially common in older adults
