Question 1

The people of Okinawa, Japan, which has a large number of centenarians, eat a diet that is
A) low in calories but not very nutritious.
B) low in calories and highly nutritious.
C) rich in calories but not very nutritious.
D) rich in calories and highly nutritious.

Accepted Answer

The diet of the people of Okinawa, Japan, known for its large number of centenarians, is characterized by being low in calories and highly nutritious, contributing to their longevity and health.

Question 2

Researchers believe that the residents of Okinawa, Japan, have a large number of centenarians mainly because of their diet and eating habits. A popular saying there is hara hachi-bu, which means
A) "Eat as much as you can today because tomorrow may bring famine."
B) "Eat till you drop."
C) "Eat until you are 80 percent full."
D) "It's a sin to leave food on the plate."

Accepted Answer

"Eat until you are 80 percent full" is what hara hachi-bu translates to, reflecting a dietary practice believed to contribute to the longevity of Okinawa residents.

Question 3

The Hayflick limit is the point at which
A) cells stop dividing and replicating.
B) humans reach maximum lifespan.
C) caloric restriction becomes harmful.
D) cognitive declines can still be reversed.

Accepted Answer

The Hayflick limit refers to the number of times a normal human cell population will divide before cell division stops, which is a result of telomere shortening during each cell division.

Question 4

At approximately what point do human cells stop dividing and replicating?
A) After 8 divisions
B) After 25 divisions
C) After 50 divisions
D) After 100 divisions

Accepted Answer

Human cells typically stop dividing and replicating after about 50 divisions, a phenomenon known as the Hayflick limit. This limit is attributed to the shortening of telomeres, protective structures at the ends of chromosomes, with each cell division.

Question 5

Telomeres are
A) cloudy areas that form in the lens of the eye.
B) immune cells that patrol for foreign substances.
C) protective tips on the ends of chromosomes.
D) unstable oxygen molecules that are byproducts of metabolism.

Accepted Answer

Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that help protect our DNA during cell division. They prevent the chromosomes from deteriorating or fusing with neighboring chromosomes, which can lead to genetic disorders and diseases.

Question 6

What happens to cells when their telomeres are almost all gone?
A) They become cancerous.
B) They mutate.
C) They start replicating.
D) They stop dividing.

Accepted Answer

When telomeres become too short, cells can no longer divide effectively, leading them to become senescent or die. This is a natural part of the aging process and acts as a mechanism to prevent the uncontrolled cell division seen in cancer.

Question 7

To scientists, the fact that the disappearance of telomeres is followed by the deterioration and dying off of cells means that the body
A) is triggering the process of competitive elimination.
B) has a mechanism that stops tumors early in a person's life.
C) is getting ready to replenish those cells.
D) has an internal clock that controls the length of life.

Accepted Answer

The answer of To scientists, the fact that the disappearance...

Question 8

Paul is poor, obese, a smoker, and sedentary. His cousin Mike is middle-class, lean, a non-smoker, and an "exercise nut." Compared to Paul's body, Mike's body is likely to be producing _____free radicals and to manifest _____telomere shortening.
A) fewer; slower
B) fewer; accelerated
C) more; accelerated
D) more; slower

Accepted Answer

Mike's healthier lifestyle choices (non-smoking, regular exercise, and maintaining a lean body) are associated with reduced oxidative stress, leading to fewer free radicals. Additionally, these choices are linked to slower telomere shortening, as they help in maintaining telomere length and reducing the rate of cellular aging.

Question 9

Neil's maternal great-grandparents are in good health and well into their 90's. Neil correctly surmises that their
A) cells are undergoing accelerated telomere shortening.
B) bodily organs have a larger than average reserve capacity.
C) bodies are producing an inordinate number of free radicals.
D) immune systems are relatively overactive.

Accepted Answer

Bodily organs having a larger than average reserve capacity is a factor that contributes to longevity and good health in older age. This reserve capacity helps the body to better withstand stress and maintain function despite the decline that occurs with aging.

Question 10

Now that she's reached old age, Veronica's heart pumps blood slower when she swims laps in the pool than it did when she was younger. At the same time, however, it pumps a larger amount of blood with each heartbeat. Veronica's heart is demonstrating which of the following?
A) Compensation
B) Plasticity
C) Optimization
D) Selection

Accepted Answer

Veronica's heart is compensating for its decreased ability to pump blood quickly by pumping a larger amount of blood with each beat. This adaptation helps maintain adequate blood flow to meet her body's needs despite the effects of aging.

Question 11

Seventy-year-old Edna had never exercised much. After her doctor explained about muscle mass decline, she decided to enroll in a senior aerobics class. A year later, some of her muscle weakness appeared to have reversed itself, demonstrating
A) compensation.
B) optimization.
C) plasticity.
D) selection.

Accepted Answer

Edna's improvement in muscle strength demonstrates plasticity, which refers to the ability of the brain and body to adapt and change in response to new experiences, learning, or recovery from injury. In this context, it shows that even at an advanced age, the body can still adapt and improve its physical condition through exercise.

Question 12

Unintentional weight_____is common in old age and is associated with 	outcomes.
A) gain; good
B) gain; poor
C) loss; good
D) loss; poor

Accepted Answer

Unintentional weight loss in old age is often associated with poor outcomes, including increased morbidity and mortality. It can be a sign of underlying health issues such as malnutrition, depression, or chronic diseases.

Question 13

Which of the following is true about frailty in old age?
A) It lowers one's ability to withstand emotional stress.
B) It comes about as a result of exercising the body too hard.
C) It is more common in overweight individuals.
D) It tends to get better over time.

Accepted Answer

Frailty in old age is associated with decreased physiological reserves, making it harder for individuals to cope with physical and emotional stress.

Question 14

What is the most common reason given when older adults stop driving?
A) Difficulty getting in and out of a car
B) Memory problems
C) Slowed reaction times
D) Vision problems

Accepted Answer

Vision problems are the most common reason older adults cite for stopping driving. As people age, they may experience a decline in visual acuity, depth perception, and night vision, which can significantly impact their ability to drive safely.

Question 15

Cataract surgery involves
A) implanting a new cornea.
B) implanting a new lens.
C) removing excess liquid from the eye.
D) reshaping the cornea surface.

Accepted Answer

Cataract surgery involves removing the clouded lens of the eye and usually replacing it with a clear, artificial lens. This process does not involve the cornea directly, nor does it involve removing excess liquid from the eye or reshaping the cornea surface.

Question 16

The leading cause of blindness in old age is
A) cataracts.
B) glaucoma.
C) macular degeneration.
D) presbyopia.

Accepted Answer

Macular degeneration, specifically age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is the leading cause of blindness in older adults. It affects the macula, the part of the eye responsible for central vision, leading to vision loss in the center field of vision.

Question 17

Which part of the eye deteriorates in macular degeneration?
A) The iris
B) The lens
C) The optic nerve
D) The retina

Accepted Answer

Macular degeneration affects the macula, a part of the retina responsible for central vision, leading to vision loss in the center of the visual field.

Question 18

Noriko's grandmother has become hard-of-hearing. Lately, she no longer wants to participate in the family's social occasions because it embarrasses her when she can't hear what anyone is saying. She has even told her granddaughters to leave her alone. Noriko, who is very close to her grandmother, asked her friends what she should do. The best advice she received was
A) "Tell her she should try harder to pay attention."
B) "Talk to her in a quiet place and use a voice that is a little louder than usual."
C) "Use a high-pitched voice and don't look directly at her when you speak."
D) "Use a very loud voice, even shout if necessary."

Accepted Answer

Speaking to someone with hearing difficulties in a quiet place with a slightly louder voice can help reduce background noise and make it easier for them to hear and understand what is being said. This approach is considerate and effective, unlike the other options which could be seen as insensitive or impractical.

Question 19

Older adults' ability to taste may be diminished due to all of the following except
A) dentures.
B) medications.
C) reduced number of taste buds.
D) smoking.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Older adults' ability to taste may be...

Question 20

Tammy was unable to stand on one foot with her eyes closed. The problem involved the receptors in her
A) eyes.
B) inner ears.
C) outer ears.
D) skin.

Accepted Answer

The ability to maintain balance, especially when standing on one foot with eyes closed, primarily involves the inner ears. The inner ears contain the vestibular system, which helps the brain detect head movement and maintain balance.

Quiz 14: Physical and Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood

The people of Okinawa, Japan, which has a large number of centenarians, eat a diet that is

Researchers believe that the residents of Okinawa, Japan, have a large number of centenarians mainly because of their diet and eating habits. A popular saying there is hara hachi-bu, which means

The Hayflick limit is the point at which

At approximately what point do human cells stop dividing and replicating?

Telomeres are

What happens to cells when their telomeres are almost all gone?

To scientists, the fact that the disappearance of telomeres is followed by the deterioration and dying off of cells means that the body

Paul is poor, obese, a smoker, and sedentary. His cousin Mike is middle-class, lean, a non-smoker, and an "exercise nut." Compared to Paul's body, Mike's body is likely to be producing _free radicals and to manifest _telomere shortening.

Neil's maternal great-grandparents are in good health and well into their 90's. Neil correctly surmises that their

Now that she's reached old age, Veronica's heart pumps blood slower when she swims laps in the pool than it did when she was younger. At the same time, however, it pumps a larger amount of blood with each heartbeat. Veronica's heart is demonstrating which of the following?

Seventy-year-old Edna had never exercised much. After her doctor explained about muscle mass decline, she decided to enroll in a senior aerobics class. A year later, some of her muscle weakness appeared to have reversed itself, demonstrating

Unintentional weight_____is common in old age and is associated with outcomes.

Which of the following is true about frailty in old age?

What is the most common reason given when older adults stop driving?

Cataract surgery involves

The leading cause of blindness in old age is

Which part of the eye deteriorates in macular degeneration?

Older adults' ability to taste may be diminished due to all of the following except

Tammy was unable to stand on one foot with her eyes closed. The problem involved the receptors in her