SFL 334 EXAM || WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTION.
1. Cavanaugh: Pay attention to how theories explain aging, and what physical changes
are results of primary and secondary aging. - ANSWERS
metabolic theories - ANSWERSorganisms only have so much energy to expend in a
lifetime
cellular theories - ANSWERSNumber of times cells can divide limits lifespan - upper
limit is called Hayflick limit (chromosomes can't replicate once telomeres become too
short)
What is the 2nd type of cellular theory? - ANSWERS-aging is caused by a process
called oxidative stress, an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body
-free radicals are highly reactive molecules produced randomly in normal metabolism
that easily react with other molecules
-antioxidants are molecules that stabilize free radicals to become less reactive
What is the 3rd cellular theory of aging? - ANSWERS-based on a process called cross-
linking where certain proteins (collagen) in human cells interact randomly and produce
molecules that are linked in such a way as to make the body stiffer (may explain why
heart and arteries become stiffer with age and cause cardiovascular disease)
What is the 4th type of cellular theory of aging? - ANSWERS-focuses on mitochondria
which generate chemical energy to power the cell's biochemical reactions
genetic programming theories - ANSWERStheories that explain biological aging as
resulting from a genetically determined developmental timetable (innate ability of cells to
self-destruct)
What causes wrinkling? - ANSWERS1. outer layer becomes thinner through cell loss,
so it is more fragile
2. collagen fibers lose flexibility to skin can't regain its shape after being pinched
3. elastin fibers lose their ability to keep skin stretched out, resulting in sagging
4. underlying fat that provides padding to smooth out contours diminishes
2. Podcast entitled "Training to Age Better": pay attention to what the speakers
suggested would help with better aging - ANSWERS1. eat a diet high in macronutrients
(cells require a micronutrient as a cofactor which helps enzymes function properly)
2. vitamin D (deficiency in vitamin D is bad because
3. hormesis: does response curve where the amount of stress matters, small doses are
beneficial but not large ones, we were meant to be stressed but not too much
,4. chronic stress is bad but acute stress can be really good
5. using the sauna (heat shock) 4-7 times a week can slow aging
6. stress affects the release of endotoxin in the gut which activates inflammatory
pathways
7. deal with stress through yoga, exercise, mindfulness, sauna, etc.
What causes hair loss? - ANSWERS-destruction of the germ centers that produce the
hair follicles
-graying results from a cessation of pigment production in the hair follicle
What causes changes in the voice? - ANSWERS-due to changes in the larynx,
respiratory system, and the muscles controlling speech
-lowering pitch, breathlessness and trembling, slower and less pronounced
pronunciation, decreased volume
What causes changes in height? - ANSWERS-compression of the spine from loss of
bone strength (often from osteoporosis)
-changes in the discs between the vertebrae in the spine
-changes in posture
What causes weight changes? - ANSWERS-typically gain weight between 20s and 50s
because decreased exercise leads to reduced number of calories needed, but most
people do not adjust their food intake accordingly
How do muscles and balance affect overall mobility? - ANSWERS-as lower body
strength declines, the likelihood of balance problems and falls increases
What are the age-related changes in bones? - ANSWERS-loss of bone mass inside the
bone, making them more hollow
-bones tend to become porous
-increases likelihood fractures
-broken bones are harder to heal
How are joints affected by aging? - ANSWERS-beginning in the 20s, protective cartilage
in and around joints starts to deteriorate
-this could result in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (causes more pain and more
inflammation than osteoarthritis)
Focus on the major structures of the human brain and their functions - ANSWERS
cerebral cortex - ANSWERS-outermost part of the brain
-left and right hemisphere connected by a thick bundle of neurons called the corpus
callosum
, In right-handed people, language processing is associated with the ______ hemisphere,
whereas recognizing nonspeech sounds, emotions, and faces is associated with the
_______ hemisphere. - ANSWERSleft; right
The prefrontal and frontal cortex is involved in higher-order _________ functions. -
ANSWERSexecutive functions (ability to make and carry out plans, switch between
tasks, and maintain attention and focus)
cerebellum - ANSWERS-back of the brain
-controls equilibrium and the coordination of fine motor movements
-may be involved in some cognitive functions
hippocampus - ANSWERS-located in the middle of the brain
-associated with memory
-place where related experiences or incoming information are integrated into a person's
existing knowledge base
limbic system - ANSWERS-set of brain structures involved with emotion, motivation,
and long-term memory
Most important components of the limbic system - ANSWERSamygdala and
hippocampus
structural vs. functional neuroimaging - ANSWERSstructural: detailed images of
anatomical features in the brain
functional: indication of brain activity but not high anatomical detail
age related changes in neurons - ANSWERS- Number of neurons decline
- Number and size of dendrites decreases
- Tangles develop in axon fibers
- Increases in deposits of proteins
- Number of synapses decreases
white matter - ANSWERS-neurons that are covered by myelin that transmit information
from one part of the cerebral cortex to another or from the cerebral cortex to other parts
of the brain
white matter hyperintensities - ANSWERSobservation of high signal intensity or a bright
spotty appearance on MRI images which indicate brain pathologies
-increase with age, can be a marker of risk for various cardiovascular disease
dopamine - ANSWERS-a neurotransmitter associated with higher-level cognitive
functioning like inhibiting thoughts, attention, and planning, as well as emotion,
movement, pleasure, and pain
neurons that use dopamine are called the... - ANSWERSdopaminergic system
SOLUTION.
1. Cavanaugh: Pay attention to how theories explain aging, and what physical changes
are results of primary and secondary aging. - ANSWERS
metabolic theories - ANSWERSorganisms only have so much energy to expend in a
lifetime
cellular theories - ANSWERSNumber of times cells can divide limits lifespan - upper
limit is called Hayflick limit (chromosomes can't replicate once telomeres become too
short)
What is the 2nd type of cellular theory? - ANSWERS-aging is caused by a process
called oxidative stress, an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body
-free radicals are highly reactive molecules produced randomly in normal metabolism
that easily react with other molecules
-antioxidants are molecules that stabilize free radicals to become less reactive
What is the 3rd cellular theory of aging? - ANSWERS-based on a process called cross-
linking where certain proteins (collagen) in human cells interact randomly and produce
molecules that are linked in such a way as to make the body stiffer (may explain why
heart and arteries become stiffer with age and cause cardiovascular disease)
What is the 4th type of cellular theory of aging? - ANSWERS-focuses on mitochondria
which generate chemical energy to power the cell's biochemical reactions
genetic programming theories - ANSWERStheories that explain biological aging as
resulting from a genetically determined developmental timetable (innate ability of cells to
self-destruct)
What causes wrinkling? - ANSWERS1. outer layer becomes thinner through cell loss,
so it is more fragile
2. collagen fibers lose flexibility to skin can't regain its shape after being pinched
3. elastin fibers lose their ability to keep skin stretched out, resulting in sagging
4. underlying fat that provides padding to smooth out contours diminishes
2. Podcast entitled "Training to Age Better": pay attention to what the speakers
suggested would help with better aging - ANSWERS1. eat a diet high in macronutrients
(cells require a micronutrient as a cofactor which helps enzymes function properly)
2. vitamin D (deficiency in vitamin D is bad because
3. hormesis: does response curve where the amount of stress matters, small doses are
beneficial but not large ones, we were meant to be stressed but not too much
,4. chronic stress is bad but acute stress can be really good
5. using the sauna (heat shock) 4-7 times a week can slow aging
6. stress affects the release of endotoxin in the gut which activates inflammatory
pathways
7. deal with stress through yoga, exercise, mindfulness, sauna, etc.
What causes hair loss? - ANSWERS-destruction of the germ centers that produce the
hair follicles
-graying results from a cessation of pigment production in the hair follicle
What causes changes in the voice? - ANSWERS-due to changes in the larynx,
respiratory system, and the muscles controlling speech
-lowering pitch, breathlessness and trembling, slower and less pronounced
pronunciation, decreased volume
What causes changes in height? - ANSWERS-compression of the spine from loss of
bone strength (often from osteoporosis)
-changes in the discs between the vertebrae in the spine
-changes in posture
What causes weight changes? - ANSWERS-typically gain weight between 20s and 50s
because decreased exercise leads to reduced number of calories needed, but most
people do not adjust their food intake accordingly
How do muscles and balance affect overall mobility? - ANSWERS-as lower body
strength declines, the likelihood of balance problems and falls increases
What are the age-related changes in bones? - ANSWERS-loss of bone mass inside the
bone, making them more hollow
-bones tend to become porous
-increases likelihood fractures
-broken bones are harder to heal
How are joints affected by aging? - ANSWERS-beginning in the 20s, protective cartilage
in and around joints starts to deteriorate
-this could result in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (causes more pain and more
inflammation than osteoarthritis)
Focus on the major structures of the human brain and their functions - ANSWERS
cerebral cortex - ANSWERS-outermost part of the brain
-left and right hemisphere connected by a thick bundle of neurons called the corpus
callosum
, In right-handed people, language processing is associated with the ______ hemisphere,
whereas recognizing nonspeech sounds, emotions, and faces is associated with the
_______ hemisphere. - ANSWERSleft; right
The prefrontal and frontal cortex is involved in higher-order _________ functions. -
ANSWERSexecutive functions (ability to make and carry out plans, switch between
tasks, and maintain attention and focus)
cerebellum - ANSWERS-back of the brain
-controls equilibrium and the coordination of fine motor movements
-may be involved in some cognitive functions
hippocampus - ANSWERS-located in the middle of the brain
-associated with memory
-place where related experiences or incoming information are integrated into a person's
existing knowledge base
limbic system - ANSWERS-set of brain structures involved with emotion, motivation,
and long-term memory
Most important components of the limbic system - ANSWERSamygdala and
hippocampus
structural vs. functional neuroimaging - ANSWERSstructural: detailed images of
anatomical features in the brain
functional: indication of brain activity but not high anatomical detail
age related changes in neurons - ANSWERS- Number of neurons decline
- Number and size of dendrites decreases
- Tangles develop in axon fibers
- Increases in deposits of proteins
- Number of synapses decreases
white matter - ANSWERS-neurons that are covered by myelin that transmit information
from one part of the cerebral cortex to another or from the cerebral cortex to other parts
of the brain
white matter hyperintensities - ANSWERSobservation of high signal intensity or a bright
spotty appearance on MRI images which indicate brain pathologies
-increase with age, can be a marker of risk for various cardiovascular disease
dopamine - ANSWERS-a neurotransmitter associated with higher-level cognitive
functioning like inhibiting thoughts, attention, and planning, as well as emotion,
movement, pleasure, and pain
neurons that use dopamine are called the... - ANSWERSdopaminergic system
