Chapter 3: Physical Development and Biological Aging Flashcards
amygdala
A part of the brain’s limbic system that is the seat of emotions such as anger.
cellular clock theory
Leonard Hayflick’s theory that the number of times human cells can divide is about 75 to 80. As we age, our cells become less able to divide
cephalocaudal pattern
The sequence in which the fastest growth occurs at the top of the body─the head─with physical growth in size, weight, and feature differentiation gradually working from top to bottom
climacteric
The midlife transition during which fertility declines
corpus callosum
A large bundle of axon fibers that connects the brain’s left and right hemispheres.
estradiol
A hormone associated in girls with breast, uterine, and skeletal development
free-radical theory
A microbiological theory of aging stating that people age because when their cells metabolize energy, they generate waste that includes unstable oxygen molecules, known as free radicals, that damage DNA and other structures
gonadotropins
Hormones that stimulate the testes or ovaries
gonads
The sex glands, which are the testes in males and the ovaries in females.
hormonal stress theory
The theory that aging in the body’s hormonal system can lower resistance to stress and increase the likelihood of disease
hormones
Powerful chemical substances secreted by the endocrine glands and carried through the body by the bloodstream.
hypothalamus
A structure in the brain that is involved with eating and sexual behavior.
lateralization
Specialization of function in one hemisphere or the other of the cerebral cortex
life span
The upper boundary of life, which is the maximum number of years an individual can live. The maximum life span of humans is about 120 years of age
limbic system
The region of the brain where emotions and rewards are experienced.
menarche
A girl’s first menstrual period.
menopause
The complete cessation of a woman’s menstrual cycles, which usually occurs during the late forties or early fifties
mitochondrial theory
The theory that aging is caused by the decay of the mitochondria, which are tiny cellular bodies that supply energy for cell function, growth, and repair.
mTor pathway
A cellular pathway that involves the regulation of growth and metabolism and has been proposed as a key aspect of longevity
myelination
The process of encasing axons with a myelin sheath, thereby improving the speed and efficiency of information processing
neuroconstructivist view
Developmental perspective in which biological processes and environmental conditions influence the brain’s development; the brain has plasticity and is context dependent; and cognitive development is closely linked with brain development
neurogenesis
The generation of new neurons
pituitary gland
An important endocrine gland that controls growth and regulates the activity of other glands.
prefrontal cortex
The highest level of the frontal lobes that is involved in reasoning, decision making, and self-control
