GEY 3601 - Physical Changes and Aging
Test 1-Questions and Answers.
Chapter 1: Perspectives - Answer
What are some demographic changes that have occurred leading to the growth in the older
adult population? - Answer Decline in infant mortality
More medication and treatment for diseases
Baby boomer generation.
Different types of aging? - Answer Physical aging Biological aging
Cosmetic aging
Social aging
Chronological aging
What is homeostasis? - Answer Internal balance of the body.
What happens to diversity with aging, and why? - Answer There is an increase in diversity as
we age. This is due to different factors. E.g. smoking, genetics, etc.
What did Aubrey de Grey think about longevity? - Answer We should focus on the repair
process and the damage stage.
Chapter 2: Theories - Answer
Wear and tear theory - Answer As time goes by, repeated use and abuse of the body's tissues
cause it to be unable to repair all the damage.
Error theory - Answer Aging is caused by the accumulation of small flaws in genetic
information passed on as the body cells reproduce. As cells divide errors cumulate and affects
ours bodies.
Cross-linking theory - Answer A theory of aging that holds that the stiffening of body proteins
eventually breaks down bodily processes, leading to aging. Bonds between molecules that are
separate. (collagen and elastin)
, Free radial theory - Answer By-product of cell respiration. Oxygen atom loses an electron and
reacts. Highly reactive. Aging is caused by accumulation of damage inflicted by reactive oxygen
species (ROS).
Programmed Aging theory - Answer This theory of aging is that the life span is programmed
within the cells. The genetic clock determines the speed at which the person ages and
eventually dies. Hayflick limit: certain amount of time cells can divide.
Immunological theory - Answer A theory of aging that holds that the immune system is preset
to decline by an internal biological clock. Can lead to issues like autoimmune diseases.
Stress theory - Answer Stress raises cortisol levels which is okay for short term. Chronic stress
is bad for your health.
What are telomeres and what do they do? - Answer Highly repetitive sequences at tips of
chromosomes that protect the lagging strand during replication.
caloric restriction - Answer A technique demonstrated to extend the life span of laboratory
animals involving a highly nutritious but severely calorie-restricted diet. E.g. rats that had
reduced calories.
Chapter 3: Skin, Hair, & Nails - Answer
Epidermis - Answer Outer layer of skin; protects the body from the external environment.
Dermis - Answer the middle layer of the skin, which contains most of the skin's structures.
Less blood circulation. There is nerves and receptors.
Hypodermis (subcutaneous layer) - Answer 3rd layer of the skin; Consists of connective tissue
which binds the skin to the underlying muscle.
Age related changes in the epidermis - Answer Vitamin D diminishes
Layer thins
Age related changes in the dermis - Answer Decreased flexibility, strength, and support
Age related changed in the hypodermis - Answer Becomes thinner
Loss in fat cells
Test 1-Questions and Answers.
Chapter 1: Perspectives - Answer
What are some demographic changes that have occurred leading to the growth in the older
adult population? - Answer Decline in infant mortality
More medication and treatment for diseases
Baby boomer generation.
Different types of aging? - Answer Physical aging Biological aging
Cosmetic aging
Social aging
Chronological aging
What is homeostasis? - Answer Internal balance of the body.
What happens to diversity with aging, and why? - Answer There is an increase in diversity as
we age. This is due to different factors. E.g. smoking, genetics, etc.
What did Aubrey de Grey think about longevity? - Answer We should focus on the repair
process and the damage stage.
Chapter 2: Theories - Answer
Wear and tear theory - Answer As time goes by, repeated use and abuse of the body's tissues
cause it to be unable to repair all the damage.
Error theory - Answer Aging is caused by the accumulation of small flaws in genetic
information passed on as the body cells reproduce. As cells divide errors cumulate and affects
ours bodies.
Cross-linking theory - Answer A theory of aging that holds that the stiffening of body proteins
eventually breaks down bodily processes, leading to aging. Bonds between molecules that are
separate. (collagen and elastin)
, Free radial theory - Answer By-product of cell respiration. Oxygen atom loses an electron and
reacts. Highly reactive. Aging is caused by accumulation of damage inflicted by reactive oxygen
species (ROS).
Programmed Aging theory - Answer This theory of aging is that the life span is programmed
within the cells. The genetic clock determines the speed at which the person ages and
eventually dies. Hayflick limit: certain amount of time cells can divide.
Immunological theory - Answer A theory of aging that holds that the immune system is preset
to decline by an internal biological clock. Can lead to issues like autoimmune diseases.
Stress theory - Answer Stress raises cortisol levels which is okay for short term. Chronic stress
is bad for your health.
What are telomeres and what do they do? - Answer Highly repetitive sequences at tips of
chromosomes that protect the lagging strand during replication.
caloric restriction - Answer A technique demonstrated to extend the life span of laboratory
animals involving a highly nutritious but severely calorie-restricted diet. E.g. rats that had
reduced calories.
Chapter 3: Skin, Hair, & Nails - Answer
Epidermis - Answer Outer layer of skin; protects the body from the external environment.
Dermis - Answer the middle layer of the skin, which contains most of the skin's structures.
Less blood circulation. There is nerves and receptors.
Hypodermis (subcutaneous layer) - Answer 3rd layer of the skin; Consists of connective tissue
which binds the skin to the underlying muscle.
Age related changes in the epidermis - Answer Vitamin D diminishes
Layer thins
Age related changes in the dermis - Answer Decreased flexibility, strength, and support
Age related changed in the hypodermis - Answer Becomes thinner
Loss in fat cells
