Degeneration of the Sense Organs:

Question 1

What do the senses help individuals do?

Answer 1

The senses help individuals receive information from the environment.

Question 2

What happens to our senses as we get older?

Answer 2

Less sharp

Question 3

How does taste change with age?

Answer 3

• The number of taste buds decreases, reducing the enjoyment of food.
• Production of saliva decreases, affecting taste and enjoyment of food.
• The ability to smell decreases, reducing the ability to detect dangerous odours such as fumes or spoiled food.

Question 4

What happens to the sense of touch with age?

Answer 4

• A decrease in receptor cells leads to:
• Reduced sensitivity to temperature, increasing the risk of burns, frostbite, or hypothermia.
• Reduced sensitivity to injury, leading to untreated pressure sores or ulcers.
• Increased sensitivity to touch, causing bruising.
• Skin becoming more sensitive to the sun, increasing the risk of sunburn or skin cancer.

Question 5

How does sight change with age?

Answer 5

• Vision becomes less sharp.
• Cataracts may develop, causing cloudiness in vision.
• The vitreous substance in the eye shrinks, causing floaters.
• Peripheral vision deteriorates.
• Eye muscles weaken, reducing the field of vision.
• Pupils react more slowly in bright light or darkness.
• There is an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which causes a gradual loss of sight.

Question 6

How does hearing change with age?

Answer 6

Fluid-filled tubes in the inner ear become affected, causing dizziness and falls.
• The ability to hear high-frequency sounds deteriorates.
• Distinguishing between sounds becomes more difficult.
• Tinnitus (persistent noise) may occur due to wax build-up or ear damage.

Question 7

What social effects can result from degeneration of sense organs?

Answer 7

• Reduced opportunities for socialising due to difficulty in travelling or driving.
• Difficulty joining conversations.
• Difficulty participating in leisure activities, such as listening to music or reading.

Question 8

What emotional effects can result from degeneration of sense organs?

Answer 8

• Low self-image.
• Loss of independence.
• Depression.
• Anxiety.
• Isolation.