Chapter 3: Physical Development and Biological Aging

Question 1

amygdala

Answer 1

A part of the brain’s limbic system that is the seat of emotions such as anger.

Question 2

cellular clock theory

Answer 2

Leonard Hayflick’s theory that the number of times human cells can divide is about 75 to 80. As we age, our cells become less able to divide

Question 3

cephalocaudal pattern

Answer 3

The sequence in which the fastest growth occurs at the top of the body─the head─with physical growth in size, weight, and feature differentiation gradually working from top to bottom

Question 4

climacteric

Answer 4

The midlife transition during which fertility declines

Question 5

corpus callosum

Answer 5

A large bundle of axon fibers that connects the brain’s left and right hemispheres.

Question 6

estradiol

Answer 6

A hormone associated in girls with breast, uterine, and skeletal development

Question 7

free-radical theory

Answer 7

A microbiological theory of aging stating that people age because when their cells metabolize energy, they generate waste that includes unstable oxygen molecules, known as free radicals, that damage DNA and other structures

Question 8

gonadotropins

Answer 8

Hormones that stimulate the testes or ovaries

Question 9

gonads

Answer 9

The sex glands, which are the testes in males and the ovaries in females.

Question 10

hormonal stress theory

Answer 10

The theory that aging in the body’s hormonal system can lower resistance to stress and increase the likelihood of disease

Question 11

hormones

Answer 11

Powerful chemical substances secreted by the endocrine glands and carried through the body by the bloodstream.

Question 12

hypothalamus

Answer 12

A structure in the brain that is involved with eating and sexual behavior.

Question 13

lateralization

Answer 13

Specialization of function in one hemisphere or the other of the cerebral cortex

Question 14

life span

Answer 14

The upper boundary of life, which is the maximum number of years an individual can live. The maximum life span of humans is about 120 years of age

Question 15

limbic system

Answer 15

The region of the brain where emotions and rewards are experienced.

Question 16

menarche

Answer 16

A girl’s first menstrual period.

Question 17

menopause

Answer 17

The complete cessation of a woman’s menstrual cycles, which usually occurs during the late forties or early fifties

Question 18

mitochondrial theory

Answer 18

The theory that aging is caused by the decay of the mitochondria, which are tiny cellular bodies that supply energy for cell function, growth, and repair.

Question 19

mTor pathway

Answer 19

A cellular pathway that involves the regulation of growth and metabolism and has been proposed as a key aspect of longevity

Question 20

myelination

Answer 20

The process of encasing axons with a myelin sheath, thereby improving the speed and efficiency of information processing

Question 21

neuroconstructivist view

Answer 21

Developmental perspective in which biological processes and environmental conditions influence the brain’s development; the brain has plasticity and is context dependent; and cognitive development is closely linked with brain development

Question 22

neurogenesis

Answer 22

The generation of new neurons

Question 23

pituitary gland

Answer 23

An important endocrine gland that controls growth and regulates the activity of other glands.

Question 24

prefrontal cortex

Answer 24

The highest level of the frontal lobes that is involved in reasoning, decision making, and self-control

Question 25

proximodistal pattern

Answer 25

The sequence in which growth starts at the center of the body and moves toward the extremities

Question 26

puberty

Answer 26

A brain-neuroendocrine process occurring primarily in early adolescence that provides stimulation for the rapid physical changes that occur in this period of development.

Question 27

sirtuins

Answer 27

A family of proteins that have been proposed as having important influences on longevity, mitochondrial functioning in energy, calorie restriction benefits, stress resistance, and cardiovascular functioning

Question 28

sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Answer 28

Condition in which an infant stops breathing, usually during the night, and suddenly dies without an apparent cause

Question 29

testosterone

Answer 29

A hormone associated in boys with the development of the genitals, increased height, and voice changes.