Module 3

Question 1

biological aging

Answer 1

refers to the structural and functional changes that occur in an organism overtime. Biological aging is associated with increased vulnerability on the body and increased rates of disability

Question 2

environmental theories of aging

Answer 2

• Wear and tear
  ○ The body operates similar to a machine and wears out overtime
  
  • Somatic mutation theory
    ○ Harmful mutaions caused by enviormental stressors accumulate with age and damage somatic cells

Question 3

developmental and genetic theories of biological aging

Answer 3

• Autoimmune theory
  ○ Overtime the immunse systems potective reaction declines and the system looses its ability to distinguish between self and non self
  
  • Cross linkage theory
    ○ As we age the body accumulates cross linked collagen which makes tissue stiffer and results in changes to the body
  • Neuroendocrine theory
    ○ Functional loss of neurons and their hormones is central to the aging process
  • Free radical theory
    ○ Unstable free radicals can damage cells or cause cell mutations
  • Genetic control theory
    ○ Genetic control is programmed into every cell in our bodies creating a blueprint for aging

Question 4

impacts on hair and skin

Answer 4

• Hair
  ○ Decrease in number of pigment producing cells cases greying anf ahir becomes white when melanocytes completely stop working
  ○ In men as interaction between testosterone and othe rgenes
  
  • Skin
    ○ Wrinkles and sagging caused by loss of elasticty and salt deposits
    ○ Discolouration known as lentigo and is caused by the accumulation of melatonin
    Senile purpura are bruises where blood vessels have ruptured

Question 5

nervous system

Answer 5

Neurons carry messages across the nervous system as electric signals, as peopleage neurons are lost which affects functions

Question 6

parkinsons disease

Answer 6

• Parkisons disease
  ○ Age related illness that occurs due to slow death of the nerve cells in our brains
  ○ Neurological disease most commonly occurs in older people and the exact cause is unknown
  Most common symptoms is tremours

Question 7

falls

Answer 7

○ Cerebellum is repsonsible for movements and balance and a 25% loss of neurons occurs in the cerebellum as we age
○ Falls are serious for older dults and a substantial cost for the healthcare system
Result in broken/fractured bones, functional limitations, hospitalization and death

Question 8

sleep

Answer 8

○ Poor sleep quality and insomnia common for older adults
○ Sleep is regulated by the arousal and sleep producing systems in the brain stem
○ 2 stages are slow wave and rem sleep, older adults have less rem sleep

Question 9

sensory system-vision and hearing

Answer 9

• Vision and hearing
  ○ Most commonly affected vision and hearing
  ○ Prebyopia: inability to focus on near objects
  ○ Presbycusis: normal hearing loss that occurs with age
  ○ Cataracts occrs when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy
  ○ Glucoma incloves increased pressure in the eye due to dluid buildup and can cause blindess
  § Treated by surgery or eye drops

Question 10

sensory system- smell, taste, touch

Answer 10

○ We can lose some of our sesnes of smell and taste, which can lead to poor nutrional practices
○ Body loses the ability to regulate hot and cold as well, due to loss of fatty tissue and decrased blood circulation
○ Inability to adequetly cool down is due to fewer functional sweat glands

Question 11

skeletal and muscular systems

Answer 11

• Osteoporosis is a disease resulting in severe bone loss where bones become thin and porous
  ○ Beginsg with bone loss and in late stages can lead to loss of height, back pain, and curving of the back and spine
  ○ Women 4x more likley
  
  • Arthritis is a condtion charachterized by joint inflammation resulting in pain, swelling, and deformity, most common cuase of disability in old age
    ○ Most common type is osteoarthritis
    ○ Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks synovial membranes
  • Muscle strneth
    ○ As people age they expereince a loss in muscle strnegth that become nticable around age 50
    ○ Muscle atrophy can also occur if muscles are not used for long periods of time

Question 12

reproductive systems

Answer 12

• Female
  ○ Menopause: the permanent stoppage of the mentrual cycle and end of fertility
  ○ Results in end of ovulation and decline in estrogen and progesterone
  ○ Symptoms include mood swings, hot flashes, irritability, fatigue, and anxiety
  
  • Male
    ○ Testerone levels begin to decline around age 50 or 60
    ○ Begin postatic hyperplasia is an enlarged prostate resulting in the need to urinate more frequently and erectile dysnfunction

Question 13

cardiovascular system

Answer 13

• Function is to provide oxygen and nutrients to cells and carry away waste
  
  • Hypertension and atherscolorisis become more common
    ○ Builduo of plaque creates blockages in the coronary arteries and heart attacks can occur
    ○ Treatments include coronary bypass surgery and angioplasty
    ○ Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart is not able to pump enough blood for the body
  • Risk factors include: lack of exersice, stress, obesity, smoking and low socioeconimic staus