Question 1

Late adulthood vision problems may occur because of atherosclerosis,resulting in an enlarged "blind spot" on the retina and a reduced field of vision.

Accepted Answer

Late adulthood vision problems may indeed occur due to atherosclerosis, which can lead to an enlarged blind spot on the retina and a reduced field of vision. This condition is known as age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, and is a common cause of vision loss in older adults. It is important for individuals in late adulthood to have regular eye exams to screen for and detect early signs of vision problems such as AMD.

Question 2

Free radicals occur less frequently in older than in young persons' bodies.

Accepted Answer

This statement is actually false. Free radical occurrence increases with age due to cumulative damage to cells and tissues.

Question 3

The skin of elderly adults is less responsive to cold and heat.

Accepted Answer

Aging causes a decrease in the number of sweat and oil glands, resulting in drier and thinner skin that is less responsive to temperature changes. This can make elderly adults more prone to hypothermia and heat stroke.

Question 4

Neurologists have determined that older adults who have higher levels of education show less atrophy of the cerebral cortex than those who have fewer years of schooling.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that higher levels of education are associated with less atrophy of the cerebral cortex in older adults. This may be due to the increased cognitive stimulation and intellectual activity associated with higher levels of education.

Question 5

A greater number of older men than older women are in nursing homes.

Accepted Answer

Older women are more likely to be in nursing homes than older men, primarily due to women's longer life expectancy and higher rates of widowhood.

Question 6

The maximum human lifespan is approximately 100 years.

Accepted Answer

While the average human lifespan is currently around 72-75 years, there have been rare cases of people living beyond 100 years old. Additionally, advances in medical technology may continue to increase the maximum human lifespan in the future.

Question 7

Among older adults,auditory problems are more likely to be experienced by women than men.

Accepted Answer

Men are generally more likely to experience hearing loss than women, partly due to higher exposure to occupational noise and lifestyle factors that contribute to hearing impairment.

Question 8

Age-related physical changes that cause a general slowing down are responsible for diverse behavioural effects,such as taking longer to tie one's shoes,decrements in word skills,or driving problems.

Accepted Answer

Age-related physical changes such as decreased agility and reaction time can contribute to a slowing down of various tasks, leading to the behavioral effects mentioned in the statement.

Question 9

According to the Hayflick Limit,there may be a minimum number of telomeres for every individual.When the total falls below that number,then disease or death comes fairly quickly.

Accepted Answer

The Hayflick Limit states that there is a limit to the number of times a cell can divide before it reaches senescence or cell death. This is due to the shortening of telomeres, which protect the ends of chromosomes during replication. When telomeres become too short, cells can no longer divide and may become dysfunctional, leading to disease or death. However, there is no specific minimum number of telomeres for every individual, as telomere length can vary based on factors such as genetics, age, and environmental factors.

Question 10

The number of telomeres remaining in a 70-year-old is considerably lower than the number found in a 5-year-old.

Accepted Answer

Telomeres are repetitive sequences of DNA that protect the ends of chromosomes, and they naturally shorten as cells divide. Over time, this shortening can lead to cellular senescence and aging. Therefore, it is expected that a 70-year-old would have fewer telomeres remaining than a 5-year-old.

Question 11

Cross-linking occurs more often in cell proteins of older adults than in those of younger adults.

Accepted Answer

Cross-linking is a natural process that occurs in aging, and it causes the formation of chemical bonds between proteins, DNA, and other molecules. This can lead to changes in the structure and function of tissues and organs, contributing to age-related diseases and conditions. Studies have shown that the accumulation of cross-linked proteins is more pronounced in older adults compared to younger adults.

Question 12

Burns are far more common in late adulthood because the neurological message travels more slowly than in young or middle-aged adults.

Accepted Answer

As people age, their nervous system can slow down, leading to delayed reaction times and slower transmission of neurological messages, which can increase the risk of burns.

Question 13

Those with hearing loss,whether mild or more severe,tend to be perceived as being disoriented or suffering from poor memory.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Individuals with hearing loss may appear disoriented or have difficulty remembering information due to the impact of hearing loss on their ability to process and retain auditory information.

Question 14

The ability to taste the four basic flavours (salty,bitter,sweet,and sour)does not appear to decline throughout the lifespan.

Accepted Answer

The ability to taste the four basic flavours does not decline throughout the lifespan.

Question 15

Socioeconomic status is a cause of the reduced atrophying of the cerebral cortex.

Accepted Answer

Socioeconomic status is not a direct cause of the reduced atrophying of the cerebral cortex; rather, it can influence factors such as access to healthcare, education, and nutrition, which can impact brain health and development indirectly.

Question 16

The health habit that is most important predictor of longevity and health in late adulthood is physical exercise.

Accepted Answer

Numerous studies have shown that regular physical exercise is strongly correlated with better health outcomes and increased lifespan in older adults. Exercise can help prevent chronic diseases, improve cognitive function, and maintain physical and functional abilities. Other health habits, such as a healthy diet and not smoking, are also important, but physical exercise is consistently identified as the most significant predictor of late-life health and longevity.

Question 17

The feeling of fullness that follows a meal is referred to as "satiety" and tends to be impaired in late adulthood,causing possible weight gain.

Accepted Answer

Satiety, or the feeling of fullness after a meal, can be impaired in late adulthood, leading to overeating and possible weight gain.

Question 18

Stem cells divide a limited number of times.

Accepted Answer

Stem cells, particularly embryonic stem cells, have the remarkable potential to divide indefinitely under the right conditions, a property known as self-renewal. This allows them to produce both more stem cells (self-renewal) and cells that differentiate into various cell types (potency).

Question 19

In Canada,the most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In Canada,the most common cause of dementia...

Question 20

Recent studies indicate that the majority of elderly adults in Canada have no difficulty performing instrumental activities of daily living.

Accepted Answer

Recent studies do indicate that the majority of elderly adults in Canada have no difficulty performing instrumental activities of daily living.

Quiz 17: Physical and Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood