What is senescence? - ANSWER Biological Aging
What are Biological Aging Theories? - ANSWER Cellular Functioning
and Aging
Programmed Aging
Error (Wear-and-tear, oxidative stress, free radical)
Mutation (telomeres)
Autoimmune
What are key ideas of the Cellular Function and Aging theory? -
ANSWER - Cellular replication (mitosis) is critical to survivial
-Genetic components of DNA and RNA serve as templates for cellular
reproduction
-If reproduction were always perfect, the organism would never age, but
in reality cells become increasingly complex over time
- We tend to age at about the same time as our parents and
grandparents
What are key ideas of the Programmed Aging Theory? - ANSWER -
Each cell has a pre-programmed life span aka "biological clock" or
"Hayflick limit"
- Aging is the result of ceullar death
- Proposes there's nothing one can do to change when and how you age
regardless of changes in health and diet
- Advances in cellular science are eclipsing this theory
What is the key idea of Error theories as a whole? - ANSWER Changes
at the cellular level are random and unpredictable quite the opposite of
Programmed Aging Theory
What are key ideas of the "wear-and-tear" error theory? - ANSWER -
Cellular errors are the result of wearing out over time because of
continued use
- Accelerated by internal and external stressors
,- Causes progressive decline in function or death of an increasing
number of cells
What are key ideas of the "oxidative stress" error theory? - ANSWER -
With exposure to oxidative stress (inflammation, pollution and cigarette
smoke) significant damage to the cell results
-Among the most widely studied and accepted at this time
What are key ideas of the "free radical" error theory? - ANSWER -Free
radicals are end products of cellular reproduction neutralized in youth by
vitamins, hormones, enzymes and antioxidants
- Diseases later in life happen when accumulation of damage occurs
faster than the cells can repair themselves
- Supplemental antioxidants is bad but natural ones are good
In what foods can natural antioxidants be found? - ANSWER
Mediterranean rich with red wine and olive oil
What are key ideas of the Telomeres and Aging theory? - ANSWER -
Each telomere appears to have a maximum length before it begins to
undergo seescence
- Telomere shortening is influenced by oxidative stress and lifestyle
choices
What factors specifically affect telomere shortening? - ANSWER -
Environmental exposure to pollutants
- Low social and economic status
- Lack of exercise
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Increased Age
- Unhealthy diet
- Excessive dietary protein
- Low intake of omega-3 fatty acids
What are key ideas of the Autoimmune theory? - ANSWER - Aging is a
programmed accumulation of damage and decline in the function of the
immune system - "immunosenescence"
, - Lymphocytes have a decrased ability to withstand oxidative stress
- T-cells in particular are thought to be responsible for hastening age-
related changes
What is the basis of Psychosocial Theories of Aging? - ANSWER -
Persons are multidimenstional - not just biological
- Life should be considered in totality to understand aging
What theories are included in Psychosocial - First generation? -
ANSWER - Explain and predict changes in middle and late life
- Focuses on adjustment
- Includes Role Theory and Activity Theory
What are key ideas of the Role Theory? - ANSWER - Self-identity is
defined by one's role in society (nurse, teacher, banker etc.)
- As individuals evolve so do their roles
- Now men and women are assuming roles later in life which were
unimaginable when role theory first cam out
What are key ideas of the Activity Theory? - ANSWER - Continued
activity and the ability to "stay young" were indicators of successful aging
- Consistent with Western society's emphasis on work, wealth and
productivity
Why have first generation psychosocial aging theories been criticized? -
ANSWER - Limited applicability
- Failed to consider social class, education, health and economic and
cultural diversity
What are key ideas in the second generation psychosocial aging
theories? - ANSWER - referred to as "alternative theoretical
perspectives"
- Expanded and built upon first generation theories
What theories are included in psychosocial second generation? -
ANSWER - Disengagement Theory
- Continuity Theory
- Age-Stratification
What are Biological Aging Theories? - ANSWER Cellular Functioning
and Aging
Programmed Aging
Error (Wear-and-tear, oxidative stress, free radical)
Mutation (telomeres)
Autoimmune
What are key ideas of the Cellular Function and Aging theory? -
ANSWER - Cellular replication (mitosis) is critical to survivial
-Genetic components of DNA and RNA serve as templates for cellular
reproduction
-If reproduction were always perfect, the organism would never age, but
in reality cells become increasingly complex over time
- We tend to age at about the same time as our parents and
grandparents
What are key ideas of the Programmed Aging Theory? - ANSWER -
Each cell has a pre-programmed life span aka "biological clock" or
"Hayflick limit"
- Aging is the result of ceullar death
- Proposes there's nothing one can do to change when and how you age
regardless of changes in health and diet
- Advances in cellular science are eclipsing this theory
What is the key idea of Error theories as a whole? - ANSWER Changes
at the cellular level are random and unpredictable quite the opposite of
Programmed Aging Theory
What are key ideas of the "wear-and-tear" error theory? - ANSWER -
Cellular errors are the result of wearing out over time because of
continued use
- Accelerated by internal and external stressors
,- Causes progressive decline in function or death of an increasing
number of cells
What are key ideas of the "oxidative stress" error theory? - ANSWER -
With exposure to oxidative stress (inflammation, pollution and cigarette
smoke) significant damage to the cell results
-Among the most widely studied and accepted at this time
What are key ideas of the "free radical" error theory? - ANSWER -Free
radicals are end products of cellular reproduction neutralized in youth by
vitamins, hormones, enzymes and antioxidants
- Diseases later in life happen when accumulation of damage occurs
faster than the cells can repair themselves
- Supplemental antioxidants is bad but natural ones are good
In what foods can natural antioxidants be found? - ANSWER
Mediterranean rich with red wine and olive oil
What are key ideas of the Telomeres and Aging theory? - ANSWER -
Each telomere appears to have a maximum length before it begins to
undergo seescence
- Telomere shortening is influenced by oxidative stress and lifestyle
choices
What factors specifically affect telomere shortening? - ANSWER -
Environmental exposure to pollutants
- Low social and economic status
- Lack of exercise
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Increased Age
- Unhealthy diet
- Excessive dietary protein
- Low intake of omega-3 fatty acids
What are key ideas of the Autoimmune theory? - ANSWER - Aging is a
programmed accumulation of damage and decline in the function of the
immune system - "immunosenescence"
, - Lymphocytes have a decrased ability to withstand oxidative stress
- T-cells in particular are thought to be responsible for hastening age-
related changes
What is the basis of Psychosocial Theories of Aging? - ANSWER -
Persons are multidimenstional - not just biological
- Life should be considered in totality to understand aging
What theories are included in Psychosocial - First generation? -
ANSWER - Explain and predict changes in middle and late life
- Focuses on adjustment
- Includes Role Theory and Activity Theory
What are key ideas of the Role Theory? - ANSWER - Self-identity is
defined by one's role in society (nurse, teacher, banker etc.)
- As individuals evolve so do their roles
- Now men and women are assuming roles later in life which were
unimaginable when role theory first cam out
What are key ideas of the Activity Theory? - ANSWER - Continued
activity and the ability to "stay young" were indicators of successful aging
- Consistent with Western society's emphasis on work, wealth and
productivity
Why have first generation psychosocial aging theories been criticized? -
ANSWER - Limited applicability
- Failed to consider social class, education, health and economic and
cultural diversity
What are key ideas in the second generation psychosocial aging
theories? - ANSWER - referred to as "alternative theoretical
perspectives"
- Expanded and built upon first generation theories
What theories are included in psychosocial second generation? -
ANSWER - Disengagement Theory
- Continuity Theory
- Age-Stratification
