Path

Question 1

The post-maturation changes in the organism that cause loss of function.

Answer 1

Senescence

Question 2

A clone of cells will stop dividing after about 50 divisions.
What phenomenon is this describing?

Answer 2

Hayflick phenomenon

“clonal senescence”

Question 3

What is the effect of mutated Dorian Gray genes?

Answer 3

Prolong cell life

-Not selected for, though!

Question 4

TQ

Stiffness in tendons (starting at about age 60, happens faster in diabetics) results from what process?

Answer 4

Non-enzymatic glycosylation

Question 5

TQ

• Just like when people get little barnacles or cherry angiomas or little brown spots on the backs of their hands or skin, a lot of older folks who get a mutated clonal plasma cells is perfectly benign with making antibody, and the antibody sticks up like a little spike
• From mutations that have accumulated over the lifetime

What age-related dz is this referring to?

Answer 5

Monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance

Question 6

TQ

Where is the mutation located for Hutchinson-Gilford (classic progeria)?

Answer 6

Mutation in lamin A in father’s sperm

Question 7

TQ

• Mutated DNA helicase
• Born looking old, look even older as pt ages
• Scleroderma
• Skin on knees calcifies and ulcerates
• Skin on back of hands thickens
• Feet get flat

Answer 7

Werner syndrome

Question 8

TQ

• Mutated DNA helicase
• Butterfly rash on face
• Rash on knuckles

Answer 8

Rothmund’s

Question 9

• Problem with DNA repair
• Mental retardation
• Optic atrophy *
• Malformations

Answer 9

Cockayne

Question 10

• Telomeres shorten too fast
• Hair turns gray early
• Get tumors faster
• Cerebellar defects
• Spider angiomas
• IgA deficiency

Answer 10

Ataxia-telangiectasia

Question 11

• Telomeres that are supposed to reconstitute in dividing cells (skin, marrow) do not
• Rash early
• Marrow failure eventually

Answer 11

Dyskeratosis congenita

Question 12

Mutated insulin receptor

Answer 12

Leprechaunism

Question 13

The immune system stay pretty much the same between young and old, except for what?

Answer 13

Older folks have more lymphoid follicles in the bone marrow

Question 14

The best-known primary immune alteration in the elderly is what?

Answer 14

Mild diminution of T-cell function

Question 15

What are CD28+ cells?

Why do younger people have more CD28+ than older people?

Answer 15

• CD28+ are cells that have never met an antigen before (i.e., virgins)
• Younger people have fought off fewer infections!

BUT – CD28+ cells respond in older folks equally as well compared to younger people

Question 16

Which WBC moves and fights a little slower as you age?

Answer 16

Neutrophils

Question 17

The ONE intervention that helps older folks mount a stronger antibody response to immunizations is what?

Answer 17

Aerobic exercise – running on the treadmill

Question 18

What is p66?

Answer 18

A molecule that makes cells of older folks more likely to undergo apoptosis if they are stressed

Question 19

The RANK/RANKL disconnect predisposes older folks to what?

Answer 19

Osteoporosis

Question 20

The increase in the common cancers in older folks reflects what?

Answer 20

Accumulated genetic damage over a lifetime

Question 21

Give an example of a primary immune alteration in the elderly.

Answer 21

Neutrophil function

Question 22

Give a few examples of secondary immune alterations in the elderly.

Answer 22

• Poor nutrition * – famously interferes with immunity
• Debilitating dz
• Psychosocial issues

Question 23

CD8+ cells that have already helped out with at least one infection demonstrate CD28(+/–)

Answer 23

CD28– !!!

Not a virgin anymore

Question 24

Name 2 important autoimmune dz’s MC in older folks.

Answer 24

• Pernicious anemia

- Hashimoto’s