Physiology of Aging

Question 1

What does the reduction in baroreceptors do to elderly?

Answer 1

increased postural hypotension

Question 2

What does the reduction in thermoregulatory response do to elderly?

Answer 2

higher hypothermia, hyperthermia

Question 3

What does the reduction of cardiac reserve do to elderly?

Answer 3

fluid overload

Question 4

What does the reduction of thirst mechanism do to elderly?

Answer 4

dehydration

Question 5

How is the immune system altered in the elderly?

Answer 5

thinner skin, cough reflex diminshes, achlorhydria, absence of fever

Question 6

What is the most common early sign of aging?

Answer 6

difficulty staying up all night and working the next day

Question 7

What is the most common age related eye problem that begins in 40s?

Answer 7

presbyopia

Question 8

When do all adults have OA changes visible in radiographs of the cervical spine?

Answer 8

by age 40

Question 9

Theory of aging where All cells bear specific “death” genes

Answer 9

programmed phenomena

Question 10

Theory of aging where Cellular DNA and RNA error, accumulation of inappropriate proteins and enzymes, unable to support cellular metabolism

Answer 10

error theory

Question 11

Theory of aging where there is failure of DNA repair

Answer 11

Repair failure

Question 12

Theory of aging where as cell ages, supply of redundant genes exhausted

Answer 12

redundancy failure

Question 13

Theory of aging where pituitary produces “killer” hormone, destroys cell function

Answer 13

the killer hormone theory

Question 14

Age group that report greater happiness than adults in any younger age group

Answer 14

65-70

Question 15

What happens hematologically as we age?

Answer 15

anemia of aging and decreased reserve of red cell mass

Question 16

Average loss of height between 40-80 years

Answer 16

2-4 inches

Question 17

When does weight peak in men and women before declining?

Answer 17

men-50s. women-60s

Question 18

What happens to the connective tissue with age?

Answer 18

Increase in density, decrease in the water content of connective tissues and calcification of connective tissue

Question 19

What happens to bones as we age?

Answer 19

Decreased bone mineral content causes changes – osteoporosis

Question 20

What happens to muscle as we age?

Answer 20

Decrease in muscle mass due to reduction in number and size of muscle fibers

Question 21

What happens to respiratory system with age?

Answer 21

decrease alveolar size, vital capacity, elastic recoil, expiratory flow

Question 22

How much does cardiac output decrease per year between 25-70 years of age?

Answer 22

1%

Question 23

What causes the decreased organ perfusion with age?

Answer 23

increased PVR and decreased CO

Question 24

After age 40, what starts to decline in the kidney?

Answer 24

nephrons, GFR, Cr

Question 25

Complications due to age related changes in stomach

Answer 25

atrophic gastritis and pernicious anemia

Question 26

Neurotransmitter that decrease in basal ganglia resulting in slow reflexes/movt

Answer 26

dopamine

Question 27

Ocular complications with aging

Answer 27

cataracts and macular degeneration

Question 28

What results in decrease of dark vision with age?

Answer 28

decreased retinal rods

Question 29

Leads to poor nutrition and weight loss in elderly

Answer 29

loss of taste and smell