Chapter 3 Flashcards
What are the two categories of theories for aging?
Programmed Theories = aging is genetically programmed (if so twins would drop dead the same day)
Error theories = aging is due to random damage from what we’re exposed to in our environment
What is the “Good genes gone bad” theory
the idea that evolution has selected living animals in species that are good for reproduction but are less important after that period has passed
What is the term for the loss of the ability for cells to reproduce
Replicative senescence
human cells can reproduce 50 times
What theory proposes that a faulty immune system attacks the body’s cells (our immune system is programmed to stop working eventually)
The Autoimmune theory
What theory proposes that Aging is caused by environmental damage to systems in our bodies, and that this damage accumulates over time
Error/Random Aging theories
What theory proposes that our bodies wear out due to use over time
Wear and Tear theory
What is Intrinsic aging?
gradual and irreversible changes in our structure and function that occurs due to the passage of time (primary aging)
What is Extrinsic aging?
aging due to external factors like diet, exercise, exposure to sunlight, and smoking
What is it called when a person looses hair more than the average person and how does it differ between the genders?
Androgenetic Alopecia
men = hairline recedes, leads to baldness, happens around age 50
women = hair becomes thinner, doesn’t usually lead to full baldness
Caucasians tend to get grey hair __ to __ years earlier than those of African or Asian descent.
5-10
What causes hair to grow everywhere but the head as we age?
We gain hair in extra places because of hormonal changes
What term refers to age related voice changes
Presbyphonia
What age does Presbyphonia usually occur and how does it differ with men and women
Occurs around age 60
men = higher pitch
women = lower pitch
What are some characteristics of Presbyphonia and how can we avoid it?
- reduction in volume and projection
- tremor/shakiness in the voice
- reduced vocal endurance
you can prevent it with practice, reading out loud for 5-10 minutes 2-3 times a day
What are some characteristics of Age related vision changes
- Older people need more light and have a hard time adjusting to dark and light adaptation
- Increased sensitivity to glare
- decreased visual acuity (20-60)
- poor color discrimination for short wavelengths (blues, purples, and greens)
What is it called when focusing near-far and far-near takes longer for older people
Presbyopia (not a disease, just primary aging)
Presbyopia tends to occur more with _____ people, and can start as early as ___ but occurs late ___s
short people, 35, 40s
Why does Presbyopia occur?
Because of the stiffening and thickening of the lens and atrophy of ciliary muscles
What type of abnormal vision disorder causes blurry vision and scattering of light rays
Cateracts
- can interfere with color vision and cause limitations in daily activities
What are possible causes of Cateracts?
Heredity
injury
disease
sunlight
smoking
What is a highly effective treatment for Cateracts
Surgery
What eye disorder occurs because of buildup of pressure in the eye (to optic nerve), causing a lack of peripheral vision
Glaucoma
What is a possible treatment for Glaucoma
Eyedrops
What term describes the inability to hear high-pitched tones, what is it caused by?
Presbycusis
changes in the cochlea
By age 70, ____% have it
50%
What term describes a loss of smell, that is very serious and often combined with other issues (memory decline and Alzheimers)
Anosmia
What age does Anosmia usually occur?
80
Research indicates that tactile thresholds increase significantly with age and thresholds for pain and temperature, what does thus mean?
That it takes an older person longer to recognize that hot water is hot or can’t tell the difference between sand and normal paper, takes more time to recognize pain
