Ch 3

Question 1

Structural changes in the heart

Answer 1

Thickening of the blood vessels and left ventricle.

Aorta stiffens

Increase size of left atrial chamber

Question 2

Inotropic function

Answer 2

Contractility of heart. The strength of heartbeat

Question 3

Chronotropic function

Answer 3

Heart rate. Speed at which the heart beats

Question 4

Lusitropic function

Answer 4

The relaxation of the heart

Question 5

Frank-Starling mechanism

Answer 5

More heart volume means more contractility = stroke volume

Question 6

What changes to the heart rhythm with age? Rest vs exercise

Answer 6

More input during rest than when young.

Less raise in input during exercise than when young.

Question 7

Maximal HR drop due to catacholmines, why?

Answer 7

Catacholmine exposure: overstimulation causing desensitvity

Question 8

Why does O2 diffusion go down in adults?

Answer 8

Thickness of wall means less diffusion to go through

Question 9

What types of muscles are more prevalent in aging adults?

Answer 9

Type I

Question 10

TPR up or down with age? Why?

Answer 10

Up 1% / yr

More rigid of vessels. Less biochemical mechanisms for vasodilation (endothelial NO)

Question 11

a-receptors deal with?
b-receptors deal with?
Why is there a tendency for vasoconstriction with age?

Answer 11

a-receptor: vasoconstriction
b-receptor: vasodilation

a-receptors responsiveness improves with exercise, b-receptors responsiveness decreases with age.

Question 12

What are some issues with baroreceptor responses and age?

Answer 12

Systemic BP drops causing lightheadedness.

= Hypotension

Question 13

Hypertension is more prevalent in what sex?

What phase is most problematic?

Answer 13

Females. Systolic phase

Question 14

How can one, in theory, reduce a high drop in VO2 Max?

Answer 14

By being more active at a younger age, a higher point to which VO2 Max begins to drop means a higher VO2 Max later in life.

Question 15

What is the only element of human frailty that is controllable?

Answer 15

Disuse: not being sedentary

Question 16

Disuse problems

Answer 16

Hydrostatic pneumonia, bed sores, muscular/joint issues, GI/renal issues

Question 17

Reversing disuse? Issues with this?

Answer 17

Exercise! Pain will increase with exercise at first, but will generally decrease as time spent exercising increases.

Question 18

Two major structural changes in lungs with aging

Answer 18

Loss of elastic recoil

Alveoli increase in size

Question 19

What are some other respiratory changes in aging adults?

Answer 19

Reduced compliance of chest wall
Pulmonary vascular resistance goes up
Strength of respiratory muscles goes down
Efferent neural purely to muscles goes down

Question 20

Tidal volume

Answer 20

Quiet breathing

Question 21

Inspiratory cap

Answer 21

Capacity lungs able to take in

Inspiratory reserve V + TV

Question 22

Expiratory reserve

Answer 22

Capacity lungs able to force out beyond relaxation

Question 23

Vital capacity

Answer 23

Total amount of air lungs and intake and exhale

Inspiratory V + Expiratory reserve V

Question 24

Functional reserve cap

Answer 24

Air left in lungs when quiet breathing

Total lung capacity - inspiratory capacity

Question 25

Residual V

Answer 25

Air that is left in lungs even after forceful expiration

Total lung cap - Vital cap

Question 26

Where do elderly breathe? Why?

Answer 26

Higher V. Less elastic chest means less air out during relaxation.

Question 27

Why do elderly have less ERV?

Answer 27

Expiratory muscles are weaker, so less air can be forced out.

Question 28

What happens to elderly's during ex to:
IRV
Vt
ERV
Rv

Implications?

Answer 28

IRV lessens,
Vt increases slightly,
ERV stays the same
RV increases dramatically

Unable to meet respiratory demands. Happens with pulmonary disease or old-old/very old age.