Unit 1

Question 1

Distinguish gerontology from geriatrics

Answer 1

Gerontology (branch of science) is the multidisciplinary study of aging, including ALL aspects of aging (economic, biological sociological, psychological perspectives). Geriatrics is a specialized branch of medicine, dealing with medical care/treatment of elderly

Question 2

Aging is a combination of what processes?

Answer 2

Biological aging (longevity), psychological aging (ie: memory, behaviour), social aging

Question 3

What is biogerontology?

Answer 3

The scientific investigation of biological mechanisms of HOW and WHY we age

Question 4

How would you define aging? Is this an accurate description of a person’s biological age?

Answer 4

The (unchangeable) passage of time from birth for an individual (chronological age!!!). No, because it only accounts for time; there is much diversity in how individuals age (extrinsic factors).

Question 5

What is the difference between chronological aging and biological aging?

Answer 5

Chronological aging is the actual age of an individual. Biological aging is the age of our cells, which represents how the aging process has affected us

Question 6

A person’s chronological age is dependant on their functional capacity

Answer 6

No, a person’s BIOLOGICAL AGE is dependant on their functional capacity

Question 7

What is functional capacity?

Answer 7

A direct measure of the ability of our cells, tissues, and organ systems to function optimally at 100%

Question 8

___________ can also refer to alterations in DNA and DNA methylation, which correlates with functional cells and diseases related to old age

Answer 8

Biological age

Question 9

What are some intrinsic factors that affect the onset/rate/extent of biological aging?

Answer 9

• Genetics (DNA)
• Longevity genes
• Death genes
• Race
• Gender
• Predisposition to disease

Question 10

What are some extrinsic factors (that we have minimal/no control over) that affect the onset/rate/extent of biological aging?

Answer 10

• Environment (pollution, toxins, sunlight, infections, trauma, accidents)
• Medical advancements (organ replacements, heart surgery)

Question 11

What are some extrinsic factors (that we do have control over) that affect the onset/rate/extent of biological aging?

Answer 11

Lifestyles/Nutrition
- education
- diet/exercise
- alcohol/drugs
- smoking
- occupation
- stress

Question 12

What are 3 major lifestyle factors than impact the manner in which we age?

Answer 12

Regular exercise, proper nutrition and stress management

Question 13

With aging of an organism, there’s a decline in ________, a decrease ability to adapt to ________________, a loss of _____________ and increased vulnerability to ___________ & ________________

Answer 13

With aging of an organism, there’s a decline in FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY, a decrease ability to adapt to INTERNAL/EXTERNAL STIMULI , a loss of HOMEOSTASIS and increased vulnerability to DISEASE & MORTALITY

Question 14

loss in functional capacity leads to _______

Answer 14

a decreased ability to adapt to stressors (internal and external)

Question 15

the reduced capacity to respond to stressors makes it harder to maintain _______________

Answer 15

homeostasis

Question 16

what are some important functions that must be maintained by homeostasis?

Answer 16

• nutrients
• water content
• pH
• body temp
• Na+. Ca2+, ionic balance (kidneys)
• BP
• Other systems (immune, nervous, endocrine, renal …)

Question 17

everytime we alter body conditions, we alter _______

Answer 17

homeostasis

Question 18

what happens to an organism if it fails to compensate for an internal change that results in a loss of homeostasis?

Answer 18

illness/disease

Question 19

what is homeostasis?

Answer 19

homeo = similar + stasis= condition

we are in homeostasis when our cells are functioning optimally (at 100%) and the proper set of internal conditions is met

Question 20

How does the body cope with stress to maintain homeostasis?

Answer 20

1) by providing materials & structures to prevent changes in body conditions

2) communicating (within the body) by nervous and endocrine systems

Question 21

what are the 3 interdependent components of the body’s control system? (nervous & endocrine systems)

Answer 21

• integration (of information)
• analyzation (if condition is unacceptable)
• response (how to correct)

Question 22

Aging can affect homeostasis in 2 possible ways:

Answer 22

1) biological age changes to structures (that allow more extreme alterations in body conditions)

2) biological age changes to negative feedback (that allow more extreme alterations in body conditions) –> Nervous & Endocrine system changes with age

Question 23

How can an extreme alteration, such as BODY TEMP, be reflected as a result of changes to STRUCTURES with biological age?

Answer 23

• loss of subcutaneous fat in elderly
• thinning of skin
• loss of sweat glands
• decreased # BV and blood flow to skin surface
• decrease in muscle mass & body hair loss
• inefficient vasoconstriction or vasodilation
• decreased brown fat

Question 24

How can an extreme alteration, such as BODY TEMP, be reflected as a result of changes to NERVOUS & ENDOCRINE SYSTEM (or negative feedback) with biological age?

Answer 24

• decreased # receptors (themoreceptors in hypothalamus and skin)
• decreased # of nerves (receptor –> brain and brain –> effectors)
• nerves function weakly & slower to deliver info.
• decreased # effector nerves (sweat glands, muscles, BV) and decreased in efficiency
• decrease in brain cells of hypothalamus

These result in a decrease in detection and response