1. Anatomy/Physiology

2. Geriatrics-care of elderly and their medical problems What causes cells to age? 1. Genetic clock-most cells go through mitosis except skeletal & nervous. Eventually others stop 2. Telomeres-on tip of chromosomes for protection. Eventually they shorten & disappear. The erosion contributes to aging

3. 3. Glucose links between protein molecules over time and adds to losss of elasticity. 4. Free radicals-ions with extra oxygen (superoxide). Result from chem/sun exposure. Antioxidants counteract these. Ex. Wrinkled skin, stiff joints

4. Aging Diseases  Progeria-telomeres shorten, dry and wrinkled skin, baldness, death at around 13 years of age

5.  Werner Syndrome-genetic disorder, wrinkled skin, graying hair/baldness, Cataracts, muscular atrophy, death before 50

6. Cancer- abnormal, uncontrolled cell growth  Tumor-excess tissue (malignant vs. benign)  Metastasize-spread to other parts of body  Oncologist-treats/studies cancer

7. Aging process begins at maturity- we don’t know what causes it.  Chemical insults-presence of toxic chemicals like alcohol, tobacco, drugs, CO or absence of glucose or Oxygen  External physical factors-UV light, x-rays  Genetically programmed-traits run in families

8. Certain events happen as we get older 1. Epithelial tissue becomes thinner, loses elasticity, sags 2. Connective tissue-collagen declines, bones become porus, weak 3. Muscle and nervous tissue-decline due to circulation, less oxygen

9. Some changes occur at anytime in life.  Neoplasm-abnormal mass of growing cells that could be malignant or benign  Hyperplasia- body tissue enlarged b/c of a stimulus (breasts during pregnancy due to hormones)  Atrophy- tissue decreases due to lack of stimulation. (muscles not used will atrophy)