chapter 17

Question 1

life span

Answer 1

the maximum number of years an individual can live; about 120 to 125 years of age

Question 2

life expectancy

Answer 2

the number of years that will probably be lived by the average person born in a particular year

Question 3

factors for longevity

Answer 3

• diet
• low-stress lifestyle
• caring community
• activity
• spirituality

Question 4

evolutionary theory of aging

Answer 4

natural selection has not eliminated many harmful conditions and nonadaptive characteristics in older adults; thus, the benefits conferred by evolution decline with age because natural selection is linked to reproductive fitness

Question 5

cellular clock theory

Answer 5

the maximum number of times that humans cells can divide is about 75 to 80; as we age, our cells have less capacity to divide

Question 6

free-radical theory

Answer 6

people age because normal metabolic processes within cells produce unstable oxygen molecules known as free radicles; these molecules ricochet around inside cells, damaging DNA and other cellular structures

Question 7

mitochondrial theory

Answer 7

aging is caused by the decay of mitochondria, tiny cellular bodies that supply energy for function, growth, and repair

Question 8

hormonal stress theory

Answer 8

aging in the body’s hormonal system can decrease resistance to stress and increase the likelihood of disease

Question 9

neurogenesis

Answer 9

the generation of new neurons

Question 10

cataracts

Answer 10

a thickening of the lens of the eye that causes vision to become cloudy, opaque, and distorted

Question 11

glaucoma

Answer 11

damage to the optic nerve because of the pressure created by a buildup of fluid in the eye

Question 12

macular degeneration

Answer 12

a disease that involves deterioration of the macula of the retina, which corresponds to the focal center of the visual field

Question 13

arthritis

Answer 13

inflammation of the joints that is accompanied by pain, stiffness, and movement problems; especially common in older adults

Question 14

osteoporosis

Answer 14

a chronic condition that involves an extensive loss of bone tissue and is the main reason many older adults walk with a marked stoop

Question 15

exercise and aging

Answer 15

• linked to increased longevity
• related to prevention of common chronic diseases
• associated with improvement in the treatment of many diseases
• improves older adults’ cellular functioning
• improves immune system functioning
• reduces likelihood of developing mental health problems
• reduces negative effects of stress
• linked to improved cognitive and affective functioning