Unit 1 Flashcards
(24 cards)
Distinguish gerontology from geriatrics
Gerontology (branch of science) is the multidisciplinary study of aging, including ALL aspects of aging (economic, biological sociological, psychological perspectives). Geriatrics is a specialized branch of medicine, dealing with medical care/treatment of elderly
Aging is a combination of what processes?
Biological aging (longevity), psychological aging (ie: memory, behaviour), social aging
What is biogerontology?
The scientific investigation of biological mechanisms of HOW and WHY we age
How would you define aging? Is this an accurate description of a person’s biological age?
The (unchangeable) passage of time from birth for an individual (chronological age!!!). No, because it only accounts for time; there is much diversity in how individuals age (extrinsic factors).
What is the difference between chronological aging and biological aging?
Chronological aging is the actual age of an individual. Biological aging is the age of our cells, which represents how the aging process has affected us
A person’s chronological age is dependant on their functional capacity
No, a person’s BIOLOGICAL AGE is dependant on their functional capacity
What is functional capacity?
A direct measure of the ability of our cells, tissues, and organ systems to function optimally at 100%
___________ can also refer to alterations in DNA and DNA methylation, which correlates with functional cells and diseases related to old age
Biological age
What are some intrinsic factors that affect the onset/rate/extent of biological aging?
- Genetics (DNA)
- Longevity genes
- Death genes
- Race
- Gender
- Predisposition to disease
What are some extrinsic factors (that we have minimal/no control over) that affect the onset/rate/extent of biological aging?
- Environment (pollution, toxins, sunlight, infections, trauma, accidents)
- Medical advancements (organ replacements, heart surgery)
What are some extrinsic factors (that we do have control over) that affect the onset/rate/extent of biological aging?
Lifestyles/Nutrition
- education
- diet/exercise
- alcohol/drugs
- smoking
- occupation
- stress
What are 3 major lifestyle factors than impact the manner in which we age?
Regular exercise, proper nutrition and stress management
With aging of an organism, there’s a decline in ________, a decrease ability to adapt to ________________, a loss of _____________ and increased vulnerability to ___________ & ________________
With aging of an organism, there’s a decline in FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY, a decrease ability to adapt to INTERNAL/EXTERNAL STIMULI , a loss of HOMEOSTASIS and increased vulnerability to DISEASE & MORTALITY
loss in functional capacity leads to _______
a decreased ability to adapt to stressors (internal and external)
the reduced capacity to respond to stressors makes it harder to maintain _______________
homeostasis
what are some important functions that must be maintained by homeostasis?
- nutrients
- water content
- pH
- body temp
- Na+. Ca2+, ionic balance (kidneys)
- BP
- Other systems (immune, nervous, endocrine, renal …)
everytime we alter body conditions, we alter _______
homeostasis
what happens to an organism if it fails to compensate for an internal change that results in a loss of homeostasis?
illness/disease
what is homeostasis?
homeo = similar + stasis= condition
we are in homeostasis when our cells are functioning optimally (at 100%) and the proper set of internal conditions is met
How does the body cope with stress to maintain homeostasis?
1) by providing materials & structures to prevent changes in body conditions
2) communicating (within the body) by nervous and endocrine systems
what are the 3 interdependent components of the body’s control system? (nervous & endocrine systems)
- integration (of information)
- analyzation (if condition is unacceptable)
- response (how to correct)
Aging can affect homeostasis in 2 possible ways:
1) biological age changes to structures (that allow more extreme alterations in body conditions)
2) biological age changes to negative feedback (that allow more extreme alterations in body conditions) –> Nervous & Endocrine system changes with age
How can an extreme alteration, such as BODY TEMP, be reflected as a result of changes to STRUCTURES with biological age?
- loss of subcutaneous fat in elderly
- thinning of skin
- loss of sweat glands
- decreased # BV and blood flow to skin surface
- decrease in muscle mass & body hair loss
- inefficient vasoconstriction or vasodilation
- decreased brown fat
How can an extreme alteration, such as BODY TEMP, be reflected as a result of changes to NERVOUS & ENDOCRINE SYSTEM (or negative feedback) with biological age?
- decreased # receptors (themoreceptors in hypothalamus and skin)
- decreased # of nerves (receptor –> brain and brain –> effectors)
- nerves function weakly & slower to deliver info.
- decreased # effector nerves (sweat glands, muscles, BV) and decreased in efficiency
- decrease in brain cells of hypothalamus
These result in a decrease in detection and response
