Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
after 55 begin a "settling" process. what is this? - CORRECT ANSWER- the bones attached
to the spinal column become less dense
osteoporosis - CORRECT ANSWER- condition where the bones become brittle, fragile &
thin; often brought by a lack of calcium in the diet
visual acuity - CORRECT ANSWER- ability to discern fine spatial detail in both close &
distant objects
at what age does visual acuity start to decline? - CORRECT ANSWER- 40
why does visual acuity decrease? - CORRECT ANSWER- shape of eye lens changes &
elasticity deteriorates; lens become less transparent
presbyopia - CORRECT ANSWER- nearly universal change in eyesight during middle
adulthood that results in some loss of near vision
glaucoma - CORRECT ANSWER- condition in which pressure in the fluid of the eye
increases, either b/c fluid cannot properly drain or b/c too much fluid is produced
presbycusis - CORRECT ANSWER- loss of ability to hear sounds of high frequency
reaction time slightly _____________ in middle adulthood - CORRECT ANSWER-
increases
female climacteric - CORRECT ANSWER- period that marks the transition from being able
to bare children to not being able to (around 45)
,menopause - CORRECT ANSWER- the cessation of menstruation
when is menopause complete? - CORRECT ANSWER- when a woman goes a full year
w/out her period
hot flashes - CORRECT ANSWER- women experience a surge of heat above the waist
perimenopause - CORRECT ANSWER- period before menopause when hormone
production begins to change
hormone therapy - CORRECT ANSWER- estrogen & progesterone are administered to
alleviate the worst symptoms for menopausal women
what are symptoms of menopause? - CORRECT ANSWER- hot flashes, dizziness,
headaches, heart palpitation, aching joints
male climacteric - CORRECT ANSWER- period of physical changes in the reproduction
system that occurs late in midlife, typically in a mans 50s
what gland is usually enlarged in middle adulthood in men? - CORRECT ANSWER-
prostate gland
difficulty in urination in men is an affect of what? - CORRECT ANSWER- enlarged prostate
gland
erectile dysfuntion - CORRECT ANSWER- men are unable to achieve/maintain an erection
type A personality characteristics - CORRECT ANSWER- competitiveness, impatience, &
tendency towards frustration & hostility
, **more likely to develop coronary heart disease
type B characteristics - CORRECT ANSWER- non-competitiveness, patience & lack of
aggression
type D characteristics - CORRECT ANSWER- insecurity, anxiety & negative outlook on ppl
radiation therapy - CORRECT ANSWER- radiation targets tumor in attempt to destroy it
chemotherapy - CORRECT ANSWER- ingest controlled doses of toxic substances meant to
poison the tumor
fluid intelligence - CORRECT ANSWER- reflects ability to solve & reason about novel
problems independent of past specific knowledge
crystallized intelligence - CORRECT ANSWER- information, skills & strategies that ppl
have accumulated thru experience
which intelligence declines with age? - CORRECT ANSWER- fluid
which intelligence holds steady & can improve with age? - CORRECT ANSWER-
crystallized
selective optimization - CORRECT ANSWER- process ppl use in concentrating on
particular skill areas to compensate for losses in other areas
ex) runner giving up other things to train