FREE ESSAY ON RESULTS OF AGING

RESULTS OF AGING

Barbara Mason
Human Growth and Development
Anne Brooks 
Lesson 11:Ages 65 on up: Late Adulthood
The Results of Aging
THEORIES OF WHY WE AGE 
Since research into aging is not guided by any one universally accepted theory, genetic,

cellular, and physiological studies have yielded several hypotheses. 
Genetics 
The most popular genetic theory, the Error Theory, assumes that aging is the result of
the accumulation of random genetic damage, or from small errors in the flow of genetic
information. The damage or errors would reduce or prevent proper cell function. 
Cellular 
The best known theory of aging in cellular research is called the Hayflick Effect, which
is named after the American microbiologist Leonard Hayflick. He found that certain human
cells could only divide a limited number of times before they die. This may suggest that
aging is programmed into cells. This could also account for the differences in the life
spans of different animal species, and the differences in the life spans between the
sexes within the same species. 
Physiological 
These theories focus on organ systems and their interrelationships. One area currently 
being investigated is the immune system. As we age the immune system gradually loses its
capacity to fight off infections and other invaders. As a result, antibodies are produced
that cannot tell the difference between friendly cells and enemy cells. Most experts now
believe that aging represents many phenomena working together (Miller and Keane 97). 
PHYSICAL CHANGES 
The physical changes that accompany aging are not necessarily incapacitating, even 
though they may be discomforting or limiting. The body has less strength and endurance as
it ages. The rate of energy production in the body cells is gradually lowered so that
people tire more easily and are more sensitive to weather changes. Sexual desire and
ability lower although they never entirely end for either sex. The capacity to bear
children ends in women with menopause, which is the time when the ovaries stop 
functioning, causing the menstrual cycle to stop. Men retain their reproductive function
into the late years. The use of eyeglasses may become necessary, even if they were not
necessary earlier in life. Old people can hear low tones fairly well, but their ability
to hear high tones decreases. The capacity of tissue and bone to repair itself is slowed,
as is cellular growth and division. Bones become brittle and skin loses its thickness and
elasticity, causing wrinkles. As brain cells die some capacity for memorization and
learning is lost. Breathing becomes difficult and hardening arteries circulation to
worsen and blood pressure to rise. Joints lose their mobility and deteriorate from
constant wear and pressure. Finally, the liver filters toxins from the blood less
efficiently (Microsoft Encarta Aging). 
These are not all of the changes to the body that are brought about by aging, but these
are the major ones. There is hope in modern medicine, though. Through the use of new
technologies and drugs some of these changes can be slowed or prevented. 
System Results of Aging 
Contributing Factors 
SKIN 
-loses thickness and elasticity 
(wrinkles appear) 
-bruises more easily as blood 
vessels near surface weakens 
-Process accelerated by smoking, 
-excessive exposure to sun. 
BRAIN/NERVOUS 
SYSTEM 
-loses some capacity for 
memorization and learning as 
cells die 
-becomes slower to respond to 
stimuli (reflexes dull) 
-Process accelerated by overuse of 
alcohol and other drugs, repeated 
blows to the head. 
SENSES 
-becomes less sharp with the loss of 
nerve cells 
-Process accelerated by smoking, 
-repeated exposure to loud noise. 
LUNGS 
-becomes less effective as 
elasticity decreases 
-Process accelerated by smoking, 
-poor air quality, insufficient 
exercise. 
HEART 
-pumps less efficiently, making 
exercise more difficult 
-Process accelerated by overuse of 
alcohol and tobacco, poor eating 
habits. 
CIRCULATION 
-worsens and blood pressure 
rises, as arteries harden 
-Process accelerated by insufficient 
exercise, smoking, poor eating 
habits. 
JOINTS 
-lose mobility (knee, hip) and 
deteriorate from constant wear 
and pressure (disappearance of 
cartilage between vertebrae 
results in old age shrinking) 
-Process accelerated by injury, 
obesity. 
MUSCLES 
-lose bulk and strength 
-Process accelerated by insufficient 
exercise, starvation. 
LIVER 
-filters toxins from blood less 
efficiently 
-Process accelerated by alcohol 
abuse, viral infection. 
Microsoft Encarta. Aging. 
MENTAL CHANGES 
Along with the loss of the ability of memorization and learning due to brain cells dying

(Microsoft Encarta Aging); elderly people can be affected by Alzheimer's Disease.
This disease is a progressive degenerative disease of the brain, now considered to be a 
leading cause of dementia among the old. It affects an estimated 2.5 to 3 million people
in the U.S. The incidence of this disease increases with advancing age, but there is no
evidence that it is caused by the aging process. The average life expectancy of a person
with Alzheimer's is five to ten years. Alzheimer's patients show nerve cell loss in the
parts of the brain associated with cognitive functioning. The disease also includes the
formation of abnormal proteins known as neurofibillary tangles and neurotic plaques.
Alzheimer's is also identified by defects in the brain's neurotransmitters, chemicals
that transmit nerve impulses, particularly acetylcholine, which has been linked with
memory function. Recent findings show that a small percentage of Alzheimer's cases may
have been inherited, and there has been a link between the disease and high amounts of 
aluminum in the brain (Microsoft Encarta Alzheimer's Disease). 
Senile Dementia 
This form of intellectual impairment is observed in elderly people. Approximately 10 
percent of all people over 65 years of age have clinically important intellectual
impairment. Although 20 percent of these cases are treatable, such as toxic drug
reactions, most cases are Alzheimer's Disease. Senile Dementia begins with failing
attention and memory, loss of mathematical ability, irritability and loss of sense of
humor, and poor orientation in space and time 
(Microsoft Encarta Senile Dementia). 
CONCLUSIONS 
1. There is no one theory about why we age, but the subject is currently being researched
in 
several areas. 
2. The body goes through many changes as it ages, some of which can be slowed or 
prevented through the use of modern medicine. 
3. Alzheimer's Disease is probably the most prominent mental disorder in elderly people,
but 
research has found what it does to the brain, so a cure may be in the future. 
WORKS CITED 
Microsoft Encarta. Computer Software. Alzheimer's Disease. Microsoft, 1993. 
Computer Software. Senile Dementia. Microsoft, 1993. 
Miller, Benjamin F., M.D., and Claire Brackman Keane, RN, BS, M.Ed. Encyclopedia and 
Dictionary of Medicine and Nursing. USA: W. B. Saunders, 1972. 
Riley, Matilda White. Aging. Microsoft Encarta. Computer Software. Microsoft, 1993.