Introduction to ageing Flashcards
At what age does kidney function begin to decline?
30 years
When does maturity of most organs occur?
During puberty
Organs have maximal efficiency during early adulthood
What organs are not able to repair and replace their tissues?
The brain The myocardium (heart muscle)
Explain the term ‘functional reserve’
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
What is ageing generally associated with?
Decreasing efficiency of body organs
Increasing frailty
Higher predisposition to illness and disease
Physiological changes that occur in the nervous system due to ageing?
Motor control of precise movement diminishes
Conduction rate of nerve impulses decreases
What consequences does ageing have on the nervous system?
Takes longer to carry out motor action, more prone to falls
Poorer control of e.g. vasodilation, vasoconstriction and baroreceptor reflex
Vasodilation
Increase in diameter (widening) of a blood vessel
Vasoconstriction
Decrease in diameter (narrowing) of a blood vessel
Baroreceptor
Sensory receptor sensitive to pressure (stretch)
Physiological changes that occur in the special senses due to ageing?
Ear - hair cells become damaged
Eye - Stiffening of the lens; cataracts (opacity of the lens)
Taste and smell - diminished perception
What consequences does ageing have on the special senses?
Hearing impairment
Difficulty reading without glasses; good light needed for vision
Food may taste bland, smells e.g. burning may go unnoticed
Physiological changes that occur in the respiratory system due to ageing?
Less mucous produced
Stiffening of ribcage
Decline in respiratory reflexes
What consequences does ageing have on the respiratory system?
Increased risk of infections
Reduced respiratory minute volume
Less able to respond to changes in arterial blood gas levels
Physiological changes that occur in the cardiovascular system due to ageing?
Stiffening of blood vessel walls
Reduction in cardiac function and efficiency
What consequences does ageing have on the cardiovascular system?
Increased blood pressure, increased risk of vessel rupture and haemorrhage
Reduction in cardiac output and cardiac reserve
Physiological changes that occur in the endocrine system due to ageing?
Pancreatic islets - decline in function of b-cells
Adrenal cortex - oestrogen deficiency in post-menopausal women
What consequences does ageing have on the endocrine system?
More prone to type 2 diabetes, especially if overweight
Physiological changes that occur in the digestive system due to ageing?
Loss of teeth
Peristalsis reduced
Decline in liver mass
What consequences does ageing have on the digestive system?
Difficulty chewing
Constipation
Reduced liver metabolism with increased risk of e.g. drug toxicity
Peristalsis
Rhythmical contraction of smooth muscle in the walls of hollow organs and tubes, e.g. the alimentary canal
Physiological changes that occur in the urinary system due to ageing?
Fewer nephrons, lower glomerular filtration rate
What consequences does ageing have on the urinary system?
Less able to regulate fluid balance
More prone to effects of dehydration and overload
Nephron
Structure in the kidneys responsible for the formation of urine
Physiological changes that occur in the body’s resistance and immunity due to ageing?
Declines
What consequences does ageing have on the body’s resistance and immunity?
Increased risk of infection
Longer healing times
Physiological changes that occur in the musculoskeletal system due to ageing?
Thinning of bone
Stiffening of cartilage and other connective tissue
What consequences does ageing have on the musculoskeletal system?
Increased risk of fractures
Stiffening of joints
Osteoporosis
Physiological changes that occur in the reproductive system due to ageing?
Female menopause
What consequences does ageing have on the reproductive system?
Cessation of female reproductive ability
Reduced fertility in males
Infection
Invasion of body tissues by pathogenic organisms
