Question 1

Compared to older adults of 50 years ago, adults today are generally
A) healthier and more active.
B) less healthy and less active.
C) healthier but less active.
D) less healthy but more active.

Accepted Answer

Today's adults are generally healthier and more active compared to those from 50 years ago, thanks to advances in healthcare, nutrition, and an increased focus on physical fitness and well-being.

Question 2

The young-old are adults between the ages of
A) 55-65.
B) 50-70.
C) 55-69.
D) 65-79.

Accepted Answer

The young-old are typically defined as adults aged 65-79, reflecting the period after traditional retirement age and before the onset of more significant age-related challenges.

Question 3

In ancient Rome, life expectancy was approximately how many years?
A) 20
B) 30
C) 40
D) 50

Accepted Answer

A

Question 4

In the Middle Ages (around the year 1250), life expectancy was about how many years?
A) 22
B) 32
C) 42
D) 52

Accepted Answer

Life expectancy in the Middle Ages, around the year 1250, was approximately 32 years. This figure is often misunderstood; it was significantly influenced by high infant mortality rates. If individuals survived childhood, they could live much longer, potentially into their 50s or 60s.

Question 5

In the 2000 years before 1900, life expectancy increased by about 	_____years. In the 70 years between 1900 and 1970, life expectancy increased by about 	_____years.
A) 28; 23
B) 23; 28
C) 36; 5
D) 5; 36

Accepted Answer

In the 2000 years before 1900, life expectancy increased by about 23 years. In the 70 years between 1900 and 1970, life expectancy increased by about 28 years.

Question 6

Baby Jack was born last week. His great, great-grandfather Emmet was born in 1900 and fulfilled his life expectancy. How many more years longer can we expect Jack to live than his great-grandfather?
A) 8
B) 15
C) 20
D) 30

Accepted Answer

Life expectancy has significantly increased over the past century due to advancements in healthcare, nutrition, and overall living conditions. In 1900, the average life expectancy was about 47 years. Today, it is approximately 77 years or more in many parts of the world. This represents an increase of about 30 years.

Question 7

In a recent survey of 224 countries, how did the United States rank in life expectancy?
A) It ranked 1
B) It ranked 5
C) It ranked 10
D) It ranked 50

Accepted Answer

As of my last update in 2023, the United States does not rank in the top 10 for life expectancy among countries worldwide. It is significantly lower, with various sources placing it around the 40th to 50th position, depending on the specific metrics and data used. This reflects challenges such as healthcare access, lifestyle diseases, and other public health issues.

Question 8

In countries with the longest life expectancies, people can expect to live to what age?
A) 78
B) 82
C) 88
D) 92

Accepted Answer

In countries with the longest life expectancies, such as Japan, Switzerland, and Singapore, people can expect to live into their early 80s.

Question 9

In terms of age composition, what is the "oldest" country in the world?
A) Great Britain
B) Italy
C) Japan
D) United States

Accepted Answer

The answer of In terms of age composition, what is...

Question 10

Which of the following is true about the "over age 65" segment of the population of the United States?
A) It is currently about 20 percent of the population.
B) Its numbers are declining.
C) Its proportion of Asians is expected to remain stable or show a slight decline.
D) Its proportion of Hispanics is expected to increase greatly.

Accepted Answer

The proportion of Hispanics in the "over age 65" segment is expected to increase greatly due to demographic trends and immigration patterns.

Question 11

The remarkable increases in life expectancy over the past several decades are due mainly to breakthroughs in treating
A) diabetes.
B) heart disease.
C) cancer.
D) infectious diseases.

Accepted Answer

Infectious diseases have been the leading cause of death throughout human history. In the past, most people died from infectious diseases such as smallpox, measles, and tuberculosis. Today, thanks to advances in public health and medical care, infectious diseases are no longer a major cause of death in developed countries.

Question 12

In order to increase life expectancy maximally, the ministry of health in a poor, developing nation might concentrate its efforts on obtaining
A) chemotherapy solutions.
B) hypertension medications.
C) antibiotics.
D) blood glucose monitors.

Accepted Answer

Antibiotics can treat a wide range of bacterial infections, which are common in poor, developing nations due to factors like inadequate sanitation and limited access to clean water. By addressing these infections, antibiotics can significantly reduce mortality rates and increase life expectancy.

Question 13

Scientists who believe that humans have a maximum lifespan suggest that it is what age?
A) 100
B) 110
C) 125
D) 145

Accepted Answer

Scientists who believe in a maximum human lifespan generally suggest it is around 125 years.

Question 14

In 1950, there were 3,000 centenarians (people 100 years old or older) living in the United States. One hundred years later, in 2050, it is predicted that there will be how many centenarians?
A) 30,000
B) 100,000
C) 300,000
D) 1,000,000

Accepted Answer

The answer of In 1950, there were 3,000 centenarians (people...

Question 15

The theory that posits a built-in clock causes our life to end is a(n)
A) evolutionary theory of aging.
B) ticking time-bomb theory of aging.
C) programmed theory of aging.
D) random damage theory of aging.

Accepted Answer

The programmed theory of aging suggests that aging is genetically programmed to occur with time, essentially implying that organisms have a built-in clock that determines the lifespan.

Question 16

According to evolutionary theories of aging, we age and die because
A) the death of elders has the effect of reducing the competition for limited resources.
B) genes that would have allowed us to be healthy and live after reproductive maturity were not selected.
C) the body's ability to repair itself cannot keep up with accumulated problems.
D) we have a built-in clock that determines how long we live and when we die.

Accepted Answer

Evolutionary theories suggest that natural selection favors genes that enhance reproductive success. After reproductive maturity, there is less evolutionary pressure to maintain genes that promote longevity, leading to aging and eventual death.

Question 17

"Our bodies deteriorate because they were not designed for extended operation and because we now push them to function past their warranty period." The foregoing summarizes which theory of aging?
A) Evolutionary
B) Expiration
C) Programmed
D) Random damage

Accepted Answer

The answer of "Our bodies deteriorate because they were not...

Question 18

Unstable oxygen molecules that are byproducts of metabolism and that can damage other cells are called
A) free radicals.
B) apolipoproteins.
C) amyloid tangles.
D) T cells.

Accepted Answer

Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules produced during metabolism that can damage cells through oxidative stress.

Question 19

What happened to laboratory rats and mice who were fed only 70 percent of their usual calories?
A) They died of starvation.
B) They became so weak that they could hardly move.
C) They lived much longer than rats normally do.
D) They became more susceptible to various diseases.

Accepted Answer

Caloric restriction in laboratory rats and mice has been shown to significantly extend their lifespan compared to those fed a standard diet. This phenomenon has been widely studied and suggests that a lower calorie intake, while still providing essential nutrients, can have beneficial effects on longevity.

Question 20

During World War II, food shortages in some European countries were linked to
A) decreases in immune functioning.
B) decreases in the rate of cardiovascular disease.
C) higher rates of diabetes.
D) higher cancer rates.

Accepted Answer

During World War II, food shortages in some European countries led to a decrease in the consumption of fats, sugars, and meats, which in turn was linked to decreases in the rate of cardiovascular disease. This phenomenon has been studied and documented, showing how changes in diet due to the shortages inadvertently improved heart health among the affected populations.

Quiz 14: Physical and Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood

Compared to older adults of 50 years ago, adults today are generally

The young-old are adults between the ages of

In ancient Rome, life expectancy was approximately how many years?

In the Middle Ages (around the year 1250) , life expectancy was about how many years?

In the 2000 years before 1900, life expectancy increased by about _years. In the 70 years between 1900 and 1970, life expectancy increased by about _years.

Baby Jack was born last week. His great, great-grandfather Emmet was born in 1900 and fulfilled his life expectancy. How many more years longer can we expect Jack to live than his great-grandfather?

In a recent survey of 224 countries, how did the United States rank in life expectancy?

In countries with the longest life expectancies, people can expect to live to what age?

In terms of age composition, what is the "oldest" country in the world?

Which of the following is true about the "over age 65" segment of the population of the United States?

The remarkable increases in life expectancy over the past several decades are due mainly to breakthroughs in treating

In order to increase life expectancy maximally, the ministry of health in a poor, developing nation might concentrate its efforts on obtaining

Scientists who believe that humans have a maximum lifespan suggest that it is what age?

In 1950, there were 3,000 centenarians (people 100 years old or older) living in the United States. One hundred years later, in 2050, it is predicted that there will be how many centenarians?

The theory that posits a built-in clock causes our life to end is a(n)

According to evolutionary theories of aging, we age and die because

"Our bodies deteriorate because they were not designed for extended operation and because we now push them to function past their warranty period." The foregoing summarizes which theory of aging?

Unstable oxygen molecules that are byproducts of metabolism and that can damage other cells are called

What happened to laboratory rats and mice who were fed only 70 percent of their usual calories?

During World War II, food shortages in some European countries were linked to