Introduction to ageing

Question 1

At what age does kidney function begin to decline?

Answer 1

30 years

Question 2

When does maturity of most organs occur?

Answer 2

During puberty

Organs have maximal efficiency during early adulthood

Question 3

What organs are not able to repair and replace their tissues?

Answer 3

The brain
The myocardium (heart muscle)

Question 4

Explain the term ‘functional reserve’

Answer 4

At maturity, many organs including the heart and kidneys, have ‘spare capacity’ that gradually declines in later life, meaning that significant tissue loss is needed to impair body function

Question 5

What is ageing generally associated with?

Answer 5

Decreasing efficiency of body organs
Increasing frailty
Higher predisposition to illness and disease

Question 6

Physiological changes that occur in the nervous system due to ageing?

Answer 6

Motor control of precise movement diminishes

Conduction rate of nerve impulses decreases

Question 7

What consequences does ageing have on the nervous system?

Answer 7

Takes longer to carry out motor action, more prone to falls

Poorer control of e.g. vasodilation, vasoconstriction and baroreceptor reflex

Question 8

Vasodilation

Answer 8

Increase in diameter (widening) of a blood vessel

Question 9

Vasoconstriction

Answer 9

Decrease in diameter (narrowing) of a blood vessel

Question 10

Baroreceptor

Answer 10

Sensory receptor sensitive to pressure (stretch)

Question 11

Physiological changes that occur in the special senses due to ageing?

Answer 11

Ear - hair cells become damaged
Eye - Stiffening of the lens; cataracts (opacity of the lens)
Taste and smell - diminished perception

Question 12

What consequences does ageing have on the special senses?

Answer 12

Hearing impairment
Difficulty reading without glasses; good light needed for vision
Food may taste bland, smells e.g. burning may go unnoticed

Question 13

Physiological changes that occur in the respiratory system due to ageing?

Answer 13

Less mucous produced
Stiffening of ribcage
Decline in respiratory reflexes

Question 14

What consequences does ageing have on the respiratory system?

Answer 14

Increased risk of infections
Reduced respiratory minute volume
Less able to respond to changes in arterial blood gas levels

Question 15

Physiological changes that occur in the cardiovascular system due to ageing?

Answer 15

Stiffening of blood vessel walls

Reduction in cardiac function and efficiency

Question 16

What consequences does ageing have on the cardiovascular system?

Answer 16

Increased blood pressure, increased risk of vessel rupture and haemorrhage
Reduction in cardiac output and cardiac reserve

Question 17

Physiological changes that occur in the endocrine system due to ageing?

Answer 17

Pancreatic islets - decline in function of b-cells

Adrenal cortex - oestrogen deficiency in post-menopausal women

Question 18

What consequences does ageing have on the endocrine system?

Answer 18

More prone to type 2 diabetes, especially if overweight

Question 19

Physiological changes that occur in the digestive system due to ageing?

Answer 19

Loss of teeth
Peristalsis reduced
Decline in liver mass

Question 20

What consequences does ageing have on the digestive system?

Answer 20

Difficulty chewing
Constipation
Reduced liver metabolism with increased risk of e.g. drug toxicity

Question 21

Peristalsis

Answer 21

Rhythmical contraction of smooth muscle in the walls of hollow organs and tubes, e.g. the alimentary canal

Question 22

Physiological changes that occur in the urinary system due to ageing?

Answer 22

Fewer nephrons, lower glomerular filtration rate

Question 23

What consequences does ageing have on the urinary system?

Answer 23

Less able to regulate fluid balance

More prone to effects of dehydration and overload

Question 24

Nephron

Answer 24

Structure in the kidneys responsible for the formation of urine

Question 25

Physiological changes that occur in the body’s resistance and immunity due to ageing?

Answer 25

Declines

Question 26

What consequences does ageing have on the body’s resistance and immunity?

Answer 26

Increased risk of infection

Longer healing times

Question 27

Physiological changes that occur in the musculoskeletal system due to ageing?

Answer 27

Thinning of bone

Stiffening of cartilage and other connective tissue

Question 28

What consequences does ageing have on the musculoskeletal system?

Answer 28

Increased risk of fractures
Stiffening of joints
Osteoporosis

Question 29

Physiological changes that occur in the reproductive system due to ageing?

Answer 29

Female menopause

Question 30

What consequences does ageing have on the reproductive system?

Answer 30

Cessation of female reproductive ability

Reduced fertility in males

Question 31

Infection

Answer 31

Invasion of body tissues by pathogenic organisms