Chapter 3 Flashcards
What is Biological aging?
process of bodily changes over time
During aging
there is a gradual development of several functional losses that are irreversible
To adjust to functional losses
some older adults simplify their lives and surroundings
People age ______ at _______ _______
physically, different, rates
For each person, aging depends on
a) genetic inheritance
b) nutrition and diet
c) physical activity
d) environment
Many theories of aging assume
that aging is genetically programmed
Biological theories of aging must account for processes that are:
a) universal (all people - or animals - must experience them)
b) deleterious
c) progressive (slow losses)
d) characterized by intrinsic losses = the body cannot compensate for them
The Wear and Tear Theory =
the body wears out with time
The Autoimmune Theory =
with age, the immune system starts attacking itself with antibodies
The Cross-Linkage Theory =
collagen production changes, and this causes:
a) skin wrinkling
b) slower wound healing
c) increase in size of nose and ears
d) loss of elasticity in muscles, blood vessels and many organs
The Free Radical Theory =
free radicals cause DNA mutations and much cellular damage
what can decrease free radical damage?
- Antioxidants (vitamin E, beta carotene and others) can decrease free radical damage
The Cellular Aging Theory =
cells do not replicate as fast anymore, since with increased age:
a) the cells’ DNA eventually runs out
b) this in turn reduces RNA production, so
c) cells function less effectively because of the loss of enzymes
d) eventually, cells die
Cellular theories of aging are very popular; yet,
we do not know why deleterious cellular changes happen
Some scientists believe that aging is reversible by
administering hormones
Growth hormones are being given to animals and humans experimentally, resulting often in
what hormone is being studied for the aforementioned properties?
a) an increase in lean muscle mass
b) an increase in bone density in the spinal cord
c) a reduction in fat levels
The hormone DHEA is being studied for its aforementioned properties
Although there is not enough scientific evidence on DHEA yet, its use has been associated with
a) better sleep
b) better sexuality
c) higher energy level
d) increased stress tolerance
e) increased cell growth and division
Side effects of DHEA (especially due to the correspondent increase in estrogen and testosterone):
a) growth of facial hair among women
b) enlarged breasts and prostate among men (at higher doses in particular)
c) liver problems
_______ ______ seems successful in slowing down aging
Caloric restriction
Animals put on a ___ reduced caloric intake can live up to ____ longer than their counterpart
With this type of approach, reduction is needed in:
65%, 35%
a) fat intake
b) total caloric intake
Caloric reduction in mice
For mice, it is best to start this program at birth; still, 10-20% increase in maximum lifespan if started on these diets at “middle age”
At the Baltimore Longitudinal Studies Gerontology Research Center:
a) Rhesus monkeys are studied for longevity research purposes
b) their diet = 30% reduced caloric food intake
Improvements after 6 years of this diet have been recorded in the following areas:
a) energy metabolism/better glucose metabolism
b) natural maintenance of production of adrenal steroids (like DHEA)
c) reduction of loss in muscular mass
d) slowing of age-related changes, such as delay in kidney dysfunction
e) higher activity levels
f) lower body temperature
There are several age-related physiological changes:
a) changes in body composition
b) skin changes
c) hair changes
d) musculoskeletal and kinesthetic changes
e) reduced touch sensitivity
f) decreased breathing capacity
g) loss of elasticity in the arteries
h) atherosclerosis (fat deposits in arterial & vessel walls)
i) urinary incontinence (bladder problems and kidneys’ increased production of urine)
j) atrophic gastritis (chronic stomach lining inflammation)
k) menopause and decrease in hormone levels
l) neuronal loss
m) deleterious changes in blood flow and brain tissue
n) slowing down of brain waves and sleep difficulties
o) changes in sensory functions
Changes in body composition
1) the proportion of fat increases
2) the lean body mass in muscle tissue decreases
3) weight increases for some people during middle age, and decreases in the later years
4) exercise helps
Skin changes
1) ultraviolet light causes wrinkles
2) age spots or liver spots
3) the epidermis (outer skin layer) does not replace its cells as fast anymore
Hair changes:
1) hair gets finer
2) gray hair (loss of pigment in the hair follicles)
Musculoskeletal and kinesthetic changes:
1) loss of height
2) osteoporosis (bones are > porous and < dense)
3) decrease in shoulder width (women especially develop kyphosis - hunched posture)
4) decrease ability to orient body in space
slowing down of brain waves and sleep difficulties:
a) sleep apnea (short time without breathing)
b) nocturnal myoclonus (leg muscle disturbance)