Ageing

Question 1

what is ageing?

Answer 1

a progressive, generalised impairment of function resulting in a loss of adaptive response to disease

Question 2

what causes human ageing?

Answer 2

random molecular damage during cell replication

Question 3

what are telomeres?

Answer 3

the tips of chromosomes

consist of multiple TTAGGG repeats which form a DNA loop

Question 4

what is the hayflick limit?

Answer 4

the number of times a normal human cell can divide before division ceases

Question 5

what happens to the telomeres of a chromosome throughout life?

Answer 5

progressively shortens

eventually becomes too short to sustain cell replicatio

Question 6

what is frailty?

Answer 6

loss of homeostasis and resilience

leads to increased vulnerability to decompensation after a stressor event

Question 7

what does frailty increase the risk of?

Answer 7

falls
delirium
disability
death

Question 8

what can enhance survival in people aged 75 and over?

Answer 8

not smoking
being part of a social network
physical activity

encourage lifestyle changes to meet these factors