T5D2

Question 1

Define lifespan

Answer 1

The maximum number of years a person can live (now at 120-125)

Question 2

Define life expectancy

Answer 2

The number of years an average person will live born in a certain place and time (now at 78).

Question 3

Define young-old

Answer 3

65-84

Question 4

Define oldest-old

Answer 4

85 and older

Question 5

Define centenarian

Answer 5

100 years and older

Question 6

Define supercentenarian

Answer 6

110 years or older

Question 7

Overall life expectancy for women and men

Answer 7

Women: 81
Men: 76

Question 8

Women live longer, but

Answer 8

have more non-life threatening illnesses than men

Question 9

All gender differences are influenced by

Answer 9

nature (biology) and nurture (environment, society)

Question 10

Describe Free-Radical Theory

Answer 10

Free radicals are by-products of the metabolism of cells (metabolism=using energy)

Question 11

Free radicals damage

Answer 11

cells

Question 12

Anti-oxidants can do what related to free radicals

Answer 12

Anti-oxidants can possibly reduce the free radical damage to cells.

Question 13

Define allostasis

Answer 13

Physiological processes in response to stress

Question 14

Define Allostatic load

Answer 14

Body wears down because of constant allostasis and makes the person more prone to disease

Question 15

Stress mindset, don’t think of stress as

Answer 15

• a threat
• a demoralizer
• pressure
• overwhelming
• debilitating
• don’t focus on problems
• don’t fight stress

Question 16

Stress mindset, think of stress as

Answer 16

• a challenge
• a motivator
• an opportunity
• manageable
• energizing
• focus on possibilities
• embrace stress

Question 17

Discuss shrinking and slowing related to the aging brain

Answer 17

• shrinkage of neurons
• lower number of synapses
• shorter axons
• reduced myelination

Question 18

What part of the brain shows most decline in aging

Answer 18

Pre-frontal cortex shows most decline (complex reasoning, working memory)

Question 19

Two things that slow the aging process of the brain

Answer 19

Exercise and cognitive (intellectual) challenges slow the aging process of the brain!

Question 20

Define Perceived control

Answer 20

Research has shown that giving elders control over their environment makes them happier, healthier and live longer.

Examples: choosing their food, activities and who can come in their room

Question 21

Sexual activity in old age is related to what

Answer 21

Sexual activity in old age is positively related to health in old age.

Question 22

Three normal age-related changes in cognitive functioning

Answer 22

• Harder to ignore distracting information
• Harder to focus and stay focused
• Lower executive functions (planning, info processing)

Question 23

Six executive function processes

Answer 23

• Planning
• Organizing
• Prioritizing
• Shifting
• Memorizing
• Checking

Question 24

Define Dementia

Answer 24

An umbrella term for any neurological disorder that involves the deterioration of mental functioning

Question 25

Define Alzheimer Disease

Answer 25

Progressive, irreversible brain disorder with gradual deterioration of memory, reasoning, language and eventually physical function

Question 26

Causes of Alzheimer Disease

Answer 26

- Deficiency in acetylcholine (important in memory) - ’Plaques’ - ’Tangles’ - ’Oxidative stress’

Question 27

Define Plaques

Answer 27

Dense build up of proteins in blood vessels of the brain

Question 28

Define Tangles

Answer 28

Twisted protein fibers build up in neurons

Question 29

Oxidative stress

Answer 29

Not coping well with free radicals attacks

Question 30

Alzheimer Disease prevention

Answer 30

Improve cardiac functioning through diet, medicines and exercise

Question 31

Define Parkinson Disease

Answer 31

Progressive disease with muscle tremors and facial paralysis caused by degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons

Question 32

Treatment option for Parkinson Disease

Answer 32

Deep Brain Stimulation

Question 33

Define Spirituality

Answer 33

Experiencing something beyond oneself in a transcendent manner (beyond understanding) and living in a way that benefits others and society.

Question 34

Spirituality and religion will help you what

Answer 34

Spirituality and religion will help you cope with stressful life-events and make you live longer!