Chapter 3

Question 1

What is Biological aging?

Answer 1

process of bodily changes over time

Question 2

During aging

Answer 2

there is a gradual development of several functional losses that are irreversible

Question 3

To adjust to functional losses

Answer 3

some older adults simplify their lives and surroundings

Question 4

People age ______ at _______ _______

Answer 4

physically, different, rates

Question 5

For each person, aging depends on

Answer 5

a) genetic inheritance
b) nutrition and diet
c) physical activity
d) environment

Question 6

Many theories of aging assume

Answer 6

that aging is genetically programmed

Question 7

Biological theories of aging must account for processes that are:

Answer 7

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

Question 8

The Wear and Tear Theory =

Answer 8

the body wears out with time

Question 9

The Autoimmune Theory =

Answer 9

with age, the immune system starts attacking itself with antibodies

Question 10

The Cross-Linkage Theory =

Answer 10

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

Question 11

The Free Radical Theory =

Answer 11

free radicals cause DNA mutations and much cellular damage

Question 12

what can decrease free radical damage?

Answer 12

• Antioxidants (vitamin E, beta carotene and others) can decrease free radical damage

Question 13

The Cellular Aging Theory =

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Cellular theories of aging are very popular; yet,

Answer 14

we do not know why deleterious cellular changes happen

Question 15

Some scientists believe that aging is reversible by

Answer 15

administering hormones

Question 16

Growth hormones are being given to animals and humans experimentally, resulting often in
what hormone is being studied for the aforementioned properties?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Although there is not enough scientific evidence on DHEA yet, its use has been associated with

Answer 17

a) better sleep
b) better sexuality
c) higher energy level
d) increased stress tolerance
e) increased cell growth and division

Question 18

Side effects of DHEA (especially due to the correspondent increase in estrogen and testosterone):

Answer 18

a) growth of facial hair among women
b) enlarged breasts and prostate among men (at higher doses in particular)
c) liver problems

Question 19

_______ ______ seems successful in slowing down aging

Answer 19

Caloric restriction

Question 20

Animals put on a ___ reduced caloric intake can live up to ____ longer than their counterpart
With this type of approach, reduction is needed in:

Answer 20

65%, 35%

a) fat intake
b) total caloric intake

Question 21

Caloric reduction in mice

Answer 21

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”

Question 22

At the Baltimore Longitudinal Studies Gerontology Research Center:

Answer 22

a) Rhesus monkeys are studied for longevity research purposes
b) their diet = 30% reduced caloric food intake

Question 23

Improvements after 6 years of this diet have been recorded in the following areas:

Answer 23

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

Question 24

There are several age-related physiological changes:

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Changes in body composition

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Skin changes

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Hair changes:

Answer 27

1) hair gets finer

2) gray hair (loss of pigment in the hair follicles)

Question 28

Musculoskeletal and kinesthetic changes:

Answer 28

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

Question 29

slowing down of brain waves and sleep difficulties:

Answer 29

a) sleep apnea (short time without breathing)

b) nocturnal myoclonus (leg muscle disturbance)