T12

Question 1

What are the 2 main theories on ageing?

Answer 1

Clonal senescence (inbuilt genetic mechanisms)
Replication senescence (wear and tear)

Question 2

Explain clonal senescence

Answer 2

In-built genetic factor and interactions with environment

Question 3

Explain replication senescence

Answer 3

• Wear and tear
• Free radicals
• Defective repair
• Frailty syndrome

Question 4

What is wear and tear?

Answer 4

Suggests normal daily loss of cells and sub lethal damage eventually leads to failure of tissue or organism

Question 5

What are free radicals?

Answer 5

Highly reactive molecules created in neutrophils and macrophages to kill ingested organisms, if not neutralized - severe damage

Question 6

What is defective healing/repair?

Answer 6

DNA damage

Question 7

List the main characteristics of ageing

Answer 7

• Ageing of skin
• Osteo-articular ageing
• Impaired immunity
• Brown atrophy of liver and the heart
• Cardiovascular changes
• Neoplasms

Question 8

Describe ageing of the skin

Answer 8

Wrinkles, hair loss, solar elastosis

Question 9

Describe Osteo-articular ageing

Answer 9

Bones and joints: osteopenia (bone loss) , osteoporosis (thin bone trabecular) , fractures

Question 10

Describe impaired immunity in ageing

Answer 10

Impaired with age, ↑autoimmune disease

Question 11

Describe brown atrophy of liver and heart

Answer 11

Lipofuscin pigment in atrophic cells

Question 12

Describe the cardiovascular changes in ageing

Answer 12

Developed world: MI, strokes, hypertension, atherosclerosis

Question 13

What happens with ageing in terms of neoplasia?

Answer 13

becomes more frequent

Question 14

Define death

Answer 14

Absence of vital signs e.g. respiration, pulse, response to pain

Question 15

Define death

Answer 15

Absence of vital signs e.g. respiration, pulse, response to pain

Question 16

What are possible problems with such a definition of death?

Answer 16

Even without these features it is possible that a person is still alive but very cold or suffering from a drug-induced coma

Question 17

List common modes of death

Answer 17

• Cardiac arrest/dysrhythmia
• Shock
• Respiratory failure
• Stroke
• Renal failure
• Liver failure

Question 18

Describe and discuss the differences between natural and unnatural causes of death

Answer 18

• Natural or old age
• Unnatural – accident , homicide, suicide, SIDS, SUDI, cot
  death

Question 19

List and briefly discuss the terminal events

Answer 19

• Bed sores
• Venous thrombosis
• Osteoporosis and muscle wasting
• Hypostatic pneumonia

Question 20

How can bedsores contribute to death?

Answer 20

Occur over pressure points, can become infected

Question 21

How can venous thrombosis contribute to death?

Answer 21

Immobile patients develop this, oedema of leg and risk for pulmonary emboli

Question 22

How can osteoporosis and muscle wasting contribute to death?

Answer 22

• Reduction in bone mass
• Associated with bed rest
• Skeleton weakens and liberates calcium -> renal stones
• Immobilisation: skeletal muscle relaxation