Chapter 17: Physical and Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on physical and cognitive development in late adulthood.

Primary aging

A gradual, inevitable process of bodily deterioration that begins early in life and continues through the years irrespective of what people do to stave it off.

Secondary aging

Results from disease, abuse, and disuse; factors within a person’s control.

Functional age

Measure of a person’s ability to function effectively in their physical and social environment in comparison with others of the same chronological age.

Gerontology

The study of the aged and aging processes.

Senescence

Period of the life span marked by declines in physical functioning usually associated with aging.

Genetic-programming theories

Propose that people’s bodies age according to instructions built into the genes and that aging is a normal part of development.

Hayflick limit

Cells can divide only a fixed number of times; no more than 50 times.

Variable-rate theories

Aging is the result of processes that involve damage to biological systems and that vary from person to person.

Free radicals

A by-product of metabolic processes; molecules with unpaired electrons that can damage cells.

Survival curve

Represents the percentage of people or animals alive at various ages.

Reserve capacity

The backup capacity that helps body systems function to their utmost limits in times of stress.

Age-related macular degeneration

Leading cause of visual impairment in older adults; affects the macula.

Glaucoma

Irreversible damage to the optic nerve caused by increased pressure in the eye.

Functional fitness

Exercises or activities that improve daily activity.

Dementia

Physiologically caused cognitive and behavioral decline sufficient to interfere with daily activities.

Alzheimer’s disease

Progressive, degenerative brain disorder; 6th leading cause of death in the US.

Neurofibrillary tangles

Twisted masses of dead neurons.

Amyloid plaque

Nonfunctioning tissue formed by beta amyloid in the spaces between neurons.

Parkinson’s disease

The second most common disorder involving progressive neurological degeneration; tremors, stiffness, slowed movement, and unstable posture.

Cognitive reserve

Cognitive activity delays onset of dementia and may enable a deteriorating brain to continue to function under stress.

Semantic memory

Meanings, facts, and concepts accumulated over a lifetime of learning