PSY313 unit test 1 (2)

Question 1

Why do cells age?

Answer 1

well because a cell cannot live once the telomere is gone.

Question 2

What are telomeres and how do they play a role in aging?

Answer 2

A telomere is kind of like the plastic around a shoelace, it protects our genetic data allowing cells to divide without losing important information, everytime a cell divides the telomere gets a little shorter eventually becoming so short that they can no longer divide and die.

Question 3

Can telomeres be longer on some people

Answer 3

Yes, but we are not sure why.

Question 4

what accelerates telomere shortening?

Answer 4

cellular stress increases the rate of telomere shortening (e.g., toxins from environment, lack of nutrients, excess of free radicals..)

Question 5

What are free radicals and how do they affect cells?

Answer 5

Free radicals are unstable molecules that attach to cells and damage them, accelerating aging and cell death.

Question 6

What is a natural source of free radicals in the body?

Answer 6

Free radicals are a natural consequence of our metabolism.

Question 7

How does the body defend against free radicals?

Answer 7

The body is designed to neutralize free radicals using antioxidants, which help prevent diseases

Question 8

What environmental factors increase free radicals in the body?

Answer 8

Environmental stressors such as poor diet, pollutants, and chronic stress increase free radical production.

Question 9

Do antioxidants slow aging?

Answer 9

While antioxidants have many health benefits, there is no convincing evidence that they play a role in significantly slowing the aging process.

Question 10

Is aging inevitable according to current scientific understanding?

Answer 10

Aging is considered a natural part of cellular life, and cells are designed to only live for a specific duration.

Question 11

Is there a debate about maximum human longevity?

Answer 11

Some experts believe that maximum longevity is increasing, while others think that humans have already reached their maximum possible age.

Question 12

What are common misconceptions about brain aging?

Answer 12

Many believe that as we age, there’s widespread neural fallout and loss of neurons, but this isn’t true. Neuron loss is limited to localized areas only.

Question 13

Does neurogenesis occur in adults?

Answer 13

Yes, contrary to the myth that we stop generating new neurons after birth, the hippocampus continues to show neurogenesis throughout life.

Question 14

What is the role of the hippocampus in memory?

Answer 14

The hippocampus is crucial for forming memories but not for storing them. It is one of the areas where cell loss can occur with age.

Question 15

Which brain areas are commonly affected by aging?

Answer 15

Aging typically affects the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum, leading to deficits in memory, planning, balance, and fine motor control.

Question 16

What functions are the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum associated with?

Answer 16

The prefrontal cortex is related to memory and complex planning, while the cerebellum is important for balance and fine motor control.

Question 17

How do diet and exercise impact brain health?

Answer 17

A healthy diet and regular exercise are vital for maintaining brain function and preventing neural loss, helping to offset the effects of aging on the brain.

Question 18

How does aerobic exercise affect brain volume in seniors compared to stretching and strength training?

Answer 18

Seniors who engage in aerobic exercise show greater brain volume in specific areas compared to those who do stretching and strength training, indicating the positive impact of aerobic activities on brain health.

Question 19

What is the relationship between hippocampal volume and fitness?

Answer 19

There is a positive relationship between the size of the hippocampus and fitness levels; better fitness is associated with a larger hippocampus.

Question 20

How does fitness affect memory scores?

Answer 20

Fitness explains some part of the memory score, with the effect of fitness on memory being mediated by the volume of the left hippocampus. This means that a larger hippocampus, encouraged by higher fitness levels, supports better memory.

Question 21

How does the hippocampus mediate the relationship between fitness and memory?

Answer 21

Fitness supports brain health, which in turn supports memory. The larger your hippocampus (as a result of being fitter), the better your memory performance tends to be.

Question 22

What changes occur in white matter with age, and what do they indicate?

Answer 22

With age, white matter can show hyperintensities, which are bright spots on MRIs indicating damage. These damages are related to disease and are not a natural consequence of aging.

Question 23

How do brain activity patterns differ between older and younger adults?

Answer 23

Older adults use more of their brain (bilateral activation) to accomplish the same tasks as younger adults (unilateral activation), allowing them to match younger performance despite age-related changes like cell loss in the prefrontal cortex.

Question 24

Do older adults generally see a reduction in psychological and social well-being?

Answer 24

No, the majority of older adults do not see a reduction in psychological and social well-being. In fact, older adults are often more satisfied with their lives than younger individuals.

Question 25

What are the main changes in skin as we age?

Answer 25

As we age, skin loses fat from the fat layer, causing sagging and loss of plumpness. The skin also becomes drier and loses elasticity. These changes are largely inevitable.

Question 26

What are the three main layers of the skin and their functions?

Answer 26

The three main layers are:
Epidermis: The outer protective layer.
Dermis: The thickest layer containing touch receptors, hair follicles, and nerve endings.
Fat Layer: Gives the skin its plump look.

Question 27

What factors influence the age at which we develop wrinkles and lose skin structure?

Answer 27

The development of wrinkles and loss of skin structure are largely dependent on genetics and environmental factors, with smoking and sun exposure being the two biggest culprits.

Question 28

What changes occur in hair as we age?

Answer 28

Changes in hair color and volume (greying and thinning) are inevitable as we age, with these changes being almost exclusively determined by genes.

Question 29

How can changes in skin and hair impact psychological well-being?

Answer 29

Changes in skin and hair, such as wrinkling, loss of volume, and greying, can lead to psychological effects, affecting how individuals feel about their aging appearance.

Question 30

What is presbyopia?

Answer 30

Presbyopia is a common condition related to aging where the eye’s lens loses its ability to focus properly, making it difficult to see close objects. It often starts in a person’s 40s.

Question 31

What happens to the lens of the eye as we age?

Answer 31

As we age, the lens of the eye becomes less flexible and less able to change shape to focus on close objects. For distant objects, the lens is thin and flat, and for close objects, it needs to be round and fat. Presbyopia results from the lens losing this ability.

Question 32

Why does vision become more difficult in the dark as we age?

Answer 32

Vision in the dark worsens with age because the pupil, which controls light entry, doesn’t change size as quickly due to weakened iris muscles, reducing low-light vision and increasing susceptibility to glare.

Question 33

What are cataracts and how common are they in older adults?

Answer 33

Cataracts are protein deposits on the lens of the eye that cause blurry vision. They affect about 22% of Canadians up to age 80 and 30% over age 80. Cataracts are generally easy to remove through surgery.

Question 34

What is macular degeneration and its impact?

Answer 34

Macular degeneration is a major cause of blindness in individuals over 80, involving the deterioration of receptors in the macula (the central part of the retina), leading to central vision loss while peripheral vision is maintained. There is currently no treatment, and the causes are not well understood.

Question 35

How does presbyopia affect daily activities?

Answer 35

Presbyopia can lead to difficulties with driving (vehicle accidents), increased risk of falls, and challenges in social interactions due to impaired near vision.

Question 36

What is presbycusis?

Answer 36

Presbycusis is age-related hearing loss that involves the loss of auditory neurons, primarily affecting the ability to hear high frequencies. It is not inevitable for everyone.

Question 37

Why are high frequencies lost more than low frequencies in presbycusis?

Answer 37

High frequency sounds stimulate high frequency receptors more than low frequency sounds. These receptors are used more and are thus more prone to damage, especially in noisy environments.

Question 38

Does taste decline with age?

Answer 38

Taste itself does not decline significantly with age, though there are changes in flavor perception due to factors like reduced smell.

Question 39

What happens to the sense of smell as we age?

Answer 39

There is a reduction in smell due to the loss of olfactory receptors. By the age of 80, about three-quarters of people experience a significant loss of smell.

Question 40

What are some major physical changes that occur with aging?

Answer 40

Aging can lead to height loss due to bone loss in the vertebrae, changes in body mass index (BMI), and a decrease in free fat mass (FFM). Muscle fibers decrease in number and size, starting in the 60s.

Question 41

What happens to bones as we age?

Answer 41

Bones lose density and become porous, starting in the 30s. Women lose more bone mass than men due to factors like smaller bone size and dietary habits.

Question 42

How does the heart change with age?

Answer 42

The heart muscles and arteries become stiffer, reducing the heart’s flexibility and aerobic capacity, which declines about 10% per decade. This can be slowed by aerobic exercise.

Question 43

What is the relationship between aging and cardiovascular disease?

Answer 43

Cardiovascular disease, which includes conditions like heart attacks and strokes, is a leading cause of death. It results from the buildup of fat in the arteries and changes in heart function.

Question 44

What is climacteric in the context of aging?

Answer 44

Climacteric refers to the phase in life where individuals, both women and men, are no longer able to reproduce. Women experience this during menopause and men during andropause, though men’s changes are less extreme.

Question 45

What are common symptoms associated with menopause?

Answer 45

Hot flashes, night sweating, headaches, insomnia, irritability, mood swings, depression, and memory loss.

Question 46

What changes occur in the vaginal tissues during menopause?

Answer 46

Tissues in the vagina become thinner, drier, and less able to produce secretions.

Question 47

What are some health risks that increase after menopause?

Answer 47

Weak bones, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease.

Question 48

What risks are associated with hormone replacement therapy?

Answer 48

Increased rates of breast cancer and stroke, as research since 2002 has shown.

Question 49

What is andropause, and what are its effects?

Answer 49

Andropause is the process of the reduction of testosterone in men, which can lead to decreased bone density, muscle strength, and mass.

Question 50

What are the benefits and risks of testosterone replacement in older men?

Answer 50

Testosterone replacement is associated with increased bone density and muscle strength, but it was once considered unnecessary and dangerous. (prostate issues, and cadrio prob)

Question 51

What causes erectile dysfunction in older men?

Answer 51

Erectile dysfunction occurs in about 40% of men over 65, but it is more commonly associated with diseases rather than aging per se.