Biological Theories of Aging Flashcards
(183 cards)
____ _____ try to explain how individuals differ in the aging process, and how aging affects the person physically.
Biological theories
- The ______ stimulates the production of lymphocytes, increasing resistance to infection.
thymus
- Immunity theory suggests a link between aging and the disappearance of the ____ ____ by late middle age.
- Absence of this gland results in weakening of the body’s natural defense against foreign bodies.
thymus gland
___ ____ ____:
1. Our proteins, DNA, and other molecules develop inappropriate attaclunents or cross-links to one another.
Cross-linkage Theory
- Inappropriate ____ ____ results in:
a. Decreased mobility of proteins and other molecules
b. Damaged or inhibited proteins can cause problems
cross-linkages
- ____-_____ of the skin protein, collagen, is partly responsible for wrinkling.
Cross-linking
- ____ ____ are one of the toxic by products of normal cell metabolism.
Free radicals
- Substances within one’s cells contain or ______ dangerous free radicals.
neutralize
- Free radicals that escape the neutralization process can result in:
a. DNA damage
b. Cross-linking of proteins
c. Formation of age ________
pigments
____ ____ ___ Theory
- Age is not chronological, but is determined by the amount of stress to the body and the resulting damage.
a. Analogous to mechanical breakdown of equipment
Wear and Tear
- Each person has an inherited amount of adaptability that can be used in dealing with the ____ to the body.
stress
- Although not widely accepted, _____ places stress on the body, but it is acknowledged that _______ is beneficial to overall health.
Exercise
_______ _____ ______:
1. Reduction of food intake, rather than decreased body fat or decreased metabolic rate, contributes to an anti-aging process.
Nutrition Restriction Theory
- Potential connection between reduction of food intake and:
a. Metabolic changes control the aging process, decline in ___ ______, and reduction in reactive oxygen molecules (free radicals)
protein synthesis
_____ _____
1. Aging is due to internal or external assaults that affect cells or organs so they can no longer function properly.
a. Changes in the DNA
b. Increased amounts of error in the RNA transcription
or protein synthesis
2. These resulting cell mutations are thought to the result of exposure to radiation.
Error Theory
____ ______ ______
- Hereditary basis in aging as shown by similar life spans of blood relatives.
a. Twin studies show that identical twins have much
more similar life spans than non-identical twins. - Researchers also point to cell division studies
a. Normal in vitro cells multiply finitely.
b. Abnormal cells may double an infinite amount of
times.
Biological Programming Theory
_______ ______:
1. Older people and society mutually “disengage” or
withdraw.
a. May be instigated by the elder or others in society.
Disengagement Theory
Disengagement Theory:
- Benefit to _______
a. Reflect and be centered on self
b. Relieved from societal roles
individual
Disengagement Theory:
3. Value to ______
a. Orderly means to transfer power from the young to
old
society
- Issues with the disengagement theory
a. Theory does not consider _____ and
contributions of older adults
b. Not observed in all cultures
activity
_____ _____
- People who remain socially active are more likely to adjust well to becoming older.
a. Social activity is needed for ongoing role enactment and positive self-image.
b. People with multiple roles have a broad spectrum to endorse a positive selfimage.
c. Theory supported by a number of studies
Activity Theory
Activity Theory:
2. Older adults should think of middle-age lifestyle ______ as the norm.
activity
Activity Theory:
- Replacement of discontinued activities should be encouraged. For example:
a. After retirement, one may move into ______.
b. Activities with close personal contact are typically most beneficial.
volunteering
- This theory is criticized as being too simplistic.
Continuity Theory