WK 2 - Phys Changes

Question 1

The suggested mechanism behind the genetic limits theory of aging comes from the discovery that chromosomes in many human body cells (and those of some other species, too) have, at their tips, lengths of repeating DNA called _____________.

a) chromosomal lids
b) pelorames
c) genetic signalers
d) telomeres

Answer 1

d) telomeres

Question 2

The gland that is the key element in the immune system is the _______.

a) pituitary
b) ovaries or testes
c) thalamus
d) thymus

Answer 2

d) thymus

Question 3

The aging process has been a matter of interest and a subject of research for centuries. This research has established a(n) _______.

a) empirically documented single theory of aging
b) diversity of current propositions about the aging process, most supported by some empirical evidence
c) diversity of empirical evidence, all pointing to 4 primary theories of aging
d) unified theory of aging at the cellular level

Answer 3

b) diversity of current propositions about the aging process, most supported by some empirical evidence

Question 4

More women than men in the United States are diagnosed with _______.

a) cardiovascular problems
b) glaucoma
c) hip fractures
d) hearing loss

Answer 4

c) hip fractures

Question 5

In regard to oxidative damage, which of the following is not true:

a) a healthy body can repair or resist it
b) oxidative damage causes aging
c) antioxidants protect against it, however cannot delay primary aging
d) as we age, our body becomes less capable of repairing it

Answer 5

b) oxidative damage causes aging

- it accompanies it, but unsure if it causes it

Question 6

The Hayflick limit is:

a) the number of telomeres one has
b) another word for primary aging
c) the maximum number of cells a person has at any one time
d) the number of replications a species cell will undergo before replicative senescense occurs

Answer 6

d) the number of replications a species cell will undergo before replicative senescense occurs

• replicative senescence = when cells stop dividing
  = primary aging
• related to both primary and 2ndary aging

Question 7

whitch of the following regarding telomeres is incorrect?

a) it is the mechanism behind oxidative damage
b) they reduce in size as you age
c) in adulthood women have longer telomeres than men (on average)
d) they are necassary for replicating DNA

Answer 7

a) it is the mechanism behind oxidative damage

- it is the mechanism behind genetic limits theory

Question 8

How can one slow down telomere length loss?

a) no excercise
b) basic exercise that one might get from work
c) leisure excercise
d) poor health habits

Answer 8

c) leisure excercise

• any exercise is better than no exercise, however leisure is a key feature of beneficial exercise
• no proof of causation, but relationships are very strong

Question 9

Which if the following is not a theory of primary aging?

a) caloric restriction
b) genetic limits
c) oxidative damage
d) disability

Answer 9

d) disability

- this is secondary aging

Question 10

Which of the following has been found so far to be a good alternative to caloric restriction?

a) rapamycin
b) resveratol
c) dopamine
d) sugar

Answer 10

a) rapamycin - inhibits cell growth; was originally used as an ant-rejection med for organ transplant patients.
- extended life in mice up to 12%

b) resveratol extended the life of yeast/worms/flies, however poor results on mammals

Question 11

In regard to physical changes in adulthood, which of the following is not true about weight and body composition?

a) weight distribution accumulates around the belly in middle age
b) strength and flexibility training can help maintain bone density and muscle
c) weight loss earlier in adulthood is due to loss of bone density and muscle tissue
d) adults aged 60+ are slightly more likely to be obese

Answer 11

c) weight loss earlier in adulthood is due to loss of bone density and muscle tissue
- this is normal for later in life

Question 12

What is sensorineural hearing loss?

a) complete loss of hearing
b) inability to hear low frequencies
c) shortened loudness scale

Answer 12

c) shortened loudness scale
- confusion between loud noises that aren’t heard as well anymore and soft noises that are heard accurately, making it difficult to determine if sounds are coming from near/far (whereeeeever you aaree)

Question 13

The three mechanisms that interact to enable us to enjoy food/smells are:

a) olfactory membrane, taste buds, common chemical sense
b) taste buds, oxidation, sciatic nerve
c) olfactory membrane, taste buds, oxidation
d) olfactory membrane, oxidation, sciatic nerve

Answer 13

a) olfactory membrane, taste buds, common chemical sense

Question 14

Taste buds (receptor cells) can be found on the:

a) toungue
b) mouth
c) throat
d) all of the above

Answer 14

d) all of the above

Question 15

which of the following is not a known risk factor for cataracts?

a) female
b) age
c) diet
d) sun exposure

Answer 15

c) diet

Question 16

Which of the following statements about bone mass is not true?

a) peaks at ~30 years old and declines from there
b) declines gradually for women but with a marked decrease around the age of 50-65 in men
c) womens bones are smaller and have less calcium
d) osteoporosis affects more women than men over 50 years of age

Answer 16

b) declines gradually for women but with a marked decrease around the age of 50-65 in men
- opposite. men = gradual; women = marked

Question 17

Which of the following may generally differentiate the cardiovascular system of a young adult vs an older adult?

a) intense exercise
b) heart functioning
c) thinned arteries
d) sedentary lifestyle

Answer 17

a) intense exercise - older heart is slower to respond to challenge

b) heart functioning = same unless there exists an underlying health issue
c) thinned arteries - arteries thicken with age
d) sedentary lifestyle - regular exercise helps to keep the heart stronger, lower BP and aid circulation/breathing

Question 18

Loss of neurons in primary aging is more severe than once thought
T/F

Answer 18

F - less severe

Question 19

A good example of plasticity within the brains neurons is:

a) antibodies
b) rapamycin
c) tretinoin
d) pruning

Answer 19

d) pruning = shut down unused neurons to “fine tune” the system - predominantly takes place in infancy, but research suggests that some neuron loss in old age also reflects this process

b) rapamycin = inhibits TOR protein; extends mouse life by 12%
c) tretinoin = reverses underlying changes in aging when used consistently for several months

Question 20

reduction of which hormone makes one more prone to dehydration and heat stroke?

a) climacteric
b) aldosterone
c) growth hormone
d) glaucoma

Answer 20

b) aldosterone

Question 21

a reduction of hormones that results in loss of reproductive ability is called:

a) climacteric
b) aldosterone
c) resveratol
d) glaucoma

Answer 21

a) climacteric - gradually for men from 40+; more abruptly for women in late 40’s - early 50’s

Question 22

Reduced hormone levels (climacteric) in older men are associated with reduced muscle mass, done density, sexual desire and cognitive functions, as well as raised depression and body fat
T/F

Answer 22

T

Question 23

Hormone replacement can reverse aging.

T/F

Answer 23

F - but it can slow it down

Question 24

The highest (best) levels of oxygen uptake are seen in your 20’s on average, and also within:

a) non-athletes
b) speed/power athletes
c) endurance athletes
d) gymnasts

Answer 24

c) endurance athletes

• followed by speed-power athletes and then non-athletes
  some endurance athletes have better oxygen update in their 80s than non-athletes in their 20’s

Question 25

Which of the following is not one of the 3 major causes of insomina?

a) inherent predisposition
b) outside factors (disease, meds, depression, anxiety)
c) lifestyle factors
d) menopause

Answer 25

d) menopause - frequent with sleep apnea

Question 26

Sexual desire is driven by testosterone in only men.

T/F

Answer 26

F - testosterone drives sexual desire in both women and men

Question 27

many factors determining the rate of primary aging depend on education and SES.
T/F

Answer 27

T - likelihood of being shut out of health care in America = black Americans > hispanics > white Americans