Question 1

Which statement best describes stress hormones?

Accepted Answer

Stress hormones include steroids (such as cortisol), epinephrine (also known as adrenaline), and norepinephrine. These hormones are released by the adrenal glands during stress to prepare the body for a "fight or flight" response.

Question 2

Which statement best represents the experience of Indigenous populations with cancer?

Accepted Answer

Indigenous populations often face significant disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, including for cancer. These disparities can lead to later-stage diagnoses and lower survival rates compared to other populations. Factors contributing to these disparities include socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, and cultural barriers.

Question 3

Which statement best characterizes the leading causes of death in middle adulthood?

Accepted Answer

The leading causes of death in middle adulthood are indeed cancer, heart disease, and accidents. This reflects a shift from the leading causes of death in earlier stages of life, which include more external causes such as accidents and violence, to more chronic conditions that develop or become more prevalent with age.

Question 4

Which statement best describes menopause?

Accepted Answer

Menopause is defined by the cessation of menstruation, typically occurring in women between the ages of 45 and 55.

Question 5

Your aunt is afraid that she might develop cancer because she is entering middle adulthood and she has heard that the risk is high for her age group. What is the best advice you could give to her?

Accepted Answer

Eating a healthy diet and avoiding smoking are key factors in reducing the risk of developing cancer. A balanced diet can help maintain a healthy weight, while not smoking reduces the risk of lung and other types of cancer.

Question 6

Which statement best reflects sexual dysfunctions in middle-aged men?

Accepted Answer

Sexual dysfunctions in middle-aged men, such as erectile dysfunction or decreased libido, can lead to increased anxiety about sexual performance. This anxiety can exacerbate the problem, creating a vicious cycle where the fear of sexual dysfunction leads to more severe dysfunction.

Question 7

You are studying the effects of developmental psychology during middle adulthood, which includes the age range of both your parents. Which of the following changes can your parents expect?

Accepted Answer

During middle adulthood, individuals face a greater risk for certain illnesses than they did during early adulthood. This is due to the natural aging process, where the body becomes more susceptible to health issues such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Cognitive decline, increased accidents, and rapidly declining sensory and sexual abilities are not characteristic changes of middle adulthood.

Question 8

What are the top two causes of death in middle adulthood?

Accepted Answer

Cancer and heart disease are the top two causes of death in middle adulthood, reflecting the increasing impact of chronic diseases with age.

Question 9

How is caloric need affected by aging?

Accepted Answer

Caloric need decreases with age due to a decrease in basal metabolic rate and often a decrease in physical activity. This results in a lower energy requirement.

Question 10

How is breathing affected during middle adulthood?

Accepted Answer

Breathing declines in capability during middle adulthood due to changes in lung tissue and a decrease in lung function that naturally occurs with aging. This can include reduced elasticity of the lung tissue and changes in the ribcage that affect breathing efficiency.

Question 11

What two controllable factors are responsible for two out of three cancer deaths in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Smoking and diet are two major controllable factors that significantly contribute to cancer deaths, as smoking is a leading cause of cancer, and diet can influence cancer risk through factors like obesity and consumption of carcinogenic substances.

Question 12

Which of the following is an effect of the change in bone density during middle adulthood?

Accepted Answer

During middle adulthood, bone density typically decreases, which can lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis. This condition makes bones more fragile and more likely to fracture.

Question 13

Maria is fluent in two languages and is learning her third. She is in her mid-40s. Which of the following concepts is Maria illustrating?

Accepted Answer

Plasticity refers to the ability to learn and adapt at any age, demonstrating that Maria can still acquire new skills, such as learning a new language, in her mid-40s.

Question 14

How is the basal metabolic rate (BMR) affected by aging?

Accepted Answer

The basal metabolic rate (BMR) decreases throughout middle adulthood. This decline is due to factors such as a decrease in muscle mass and changes in hormonal balance, which are common as people age.

Question 15

Which statement best describes the effects of estrogen?

Accepted Answer

Estrogen deficits, particularly during menopause, are associated with various symptoms including night sweats and hot flashes. This is because estrogen plays a key role in regulating the body's temperature.

Question 16

Which of the following accompanies menopause and the decline in estrogen?

Accepted Answer

Hot flushes are a common symptom of menopause and the decline in estrogen.

Question 17

Which statement best describes inflammation?

Accepted Answer

Inflammation is a process by which the body's white blood cells and substances they produce protect us from infection with foreign organisms, such as bacteria and viruses. It increases the supply of white blood cells and other immune cells to sites of infection or injury to combat and eliminate pathogens or repair damaged tissue.

Question 18

Which of the following best characterizes the change in abilities in middle adulthood?

Accepted Answer

In middle adulthood, there is often a decline in the ability to learn through rote repetition due to changes in cognitive processing speed and memory.

Question 19

Which statement best describes people in minority groups and their health care?

Accepted Answer

Minority groups often face barriers to healthcare access, leading to lower rates of cancer screening.

Question 20

Of all Canadians diagnosed with cancer in a given year, how many will not survive for five years?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 25% of Canadians diagnosed with cancer will not survive for five years. This statistic reflects the survival rates across various types of cancers, acknowledging that some cancers have higher survival rates than others.

Quiz 15: Middle Adulthood: Physical and Cognitive Development