Aging Biology - Quizzes Module 1-6

The Drosophila equivalent of age-1 is called A. Daf-16 B. PI3K C. Foxo D. Chico

B. PI3K

Homeostenosis (select all that apply): A. Reduces cellular function with age. B. Usually declines with age. C. Is the ability to maintain homeostasis. D. Uses up physiological reserves to repair damage to homeostasis.

B. Usually declines with age. C. Is the ability to maintain homeostasis. D. Uses up physiological reserves to repair damage to homeostasis.

In humans, the best example of a segmental progeroid syndrome is: A. Cockayne syndrome B. Werner Syndrome C. Age-related macular degeneration D. Alzheimer's Disease

B. Werner Syndrome

LPT is a neurological mechanism that: A. Counteracts age-dependent memory decline. B. Is reinvigorated by life-long learning exercises. C. Strengthens synapses and reinforces memory formation. D. Overstimulates synapses and weakens memory formation.

C. Strengthens synapses and reinforces memory formation.

Mass-specific Basal Metabolic Rate and body mass: A. share a hyperbolic relationship. B. share a positive linear relationship. C. share an inverse linear relationship

C. share an inverse linear relationship

Ultimate theories of aging include (select all that apply): A. the telomere theory B. the protein homeostasis theory C. the rate-of-living theory D. the free radical theory of aging E. the antagonistic-pleiotropy theory

C. the rate-of-living theory E. the antagonistic-pleiotropy theory

In the context of evolution, when there is conflict between the group and the individual, generally speaking: A. what is good for the group will trump what is good for the individual. B. there will be an equilibrium between what is good for the individual and what is good for the group. C. what is good for the individual will trump what is good for the group.

C. what is good for the individual will trump what is good for the group.

Increased risk of artherosclerosis during aging may be due to: A. Loss of macrophage capabilities. B. Loss of replicative potential of endothelial cells. C. Loss of protein homeostasis. D. Loss of arterial elasticity.

B. Loss of replicative potential of endothelial cells.

During brain aging, A. All cognitive functions decline at the same rate. B. Memory and executive function decline faster than semantic memory. C. Executive function declines more slowly than semantic memory. D. Motor function declines at a faster rate than memory function.

B. Memory and executive function decline faster than semantic memory.

An early sign of AD may be: A. Amnesia. B. Repetitive questioning. C. Dementia. D. Dizziness.

B. Repetitive questioning.

During aging, the prefrontal cortex: A. Shows decreased neuronal firing rates. B. Undergoes substantial dendrite retraction. C. Shows increases in post-synaptic activity. D. Experiences substantial cell loss.

B. Undergoes substantial dendrite retraction.

Select all that apply. Cellular IIS signaling: A. Is a series of protein activations steps, culminating in Foxo inactivation. B. Is a series of protein activations steps, culminating in Foxo activation. C. Requires an insulin-like molecule to bind to its specific cell-surface receptor. D. Results in altered gene expression.

A. Is a series of protein activations steps, culminating in Foxo inactivation. C. Requires an insulin-like molecule to bind to its specific cell-surface receptor. D. Results in altered gene expression.

Animals with lower mitochondrial ROS production generally have: A. Shorter life spans. B. Longer life spans. C. No difference in life span.

B. Longer life spans.

Cerebrovascular disease is the ____ leading cause of death in the US. A. 3rd. B. 5th. C. 2nd. D. 4th.

A. 3rd.

Both Disposable Soma (DS) and Antagonistic Pleiotropy (AP) describe trade-off effects. Where are these trade-offs expected? (select all that apply): A. According to DS, trade-offs do not have to be in the same gene. B. According to AP, trade off may be in metabolic genes only. C. AP requires trade-offs to be in the same gene. D. DS requires trade-offs to be in the same gene.

A. According to DS, trade-offs do not have to be in the same gene. C. AP requires trade-offs to be in the same gene.

The daf-16/FOXO transcription factor: A. Activates genes involved in the homeostatic stress response and represses reproductive genes. B. Activates genes involved in the homeostatic stress response and reproductive genes. C. Represses genes involved in the homeostatic stress response and activates reproductive genes. D. Represses genes involved in the homeostatic stress response and reproductive genes.

A. Activates genes involved in the homeostatic stress response and represses reproductive genes.

The IIS mediates the homeostatic response to (select all that apply): A. Bacterial infections. B. Heat. C. Crowding. D. Oxidative stress. E. Starvation.

A. Bacterial infections. B. Heat. C. Crowding. D. Oxidative stress. E. Starvation.

Why do outbreeding experiments often lead to longer lived animals? A. Because outbreeding reduces inbreeding depression. B. Because outbreeding selects for genes modulating life span. C. Because outbreeding minimizes genetic heterogeneity. D. Because outbreeding extends the reproductive period to later ages.

A. Because outbreeding reduces inbreeding depression.

The wild-type version of age-1 represses the production: A. Catalase. B. Anti-microbial proteins. C. Superoxide Dismutase. D. Glutathione-S-transferase.

A. Catalase. B. Anti-microbial proteins. C. Superoxide Dismutase. D. Glutathione-S-transferase.

Of the following molecules of the dauer pathway, which may play a role in hormesis? (select all that apply): A. Daf-2 B. Daf-18 C. Daf-16 D. Daf-12

A. Daf-2 B. Daf-18 C. Daf-16 D. Daf-12

ROS are: A. Damaging molecules that may also serve as important signaling molecules. B. Universally damaging molecules. C. Not all that damaging. D. Reactive molecules, but with little effect on aging or disease development.

A. Damaging molecules that may also serve as important signaling molecules.

Stress is an event that (select all that apply): A. Disturbs homeostasis. B. Increases homeostasis C. May reduce longevity. D. Disturbs DNA damage repair.

A. Disturbs homeostasis. C. May reduce longevity.

Levels of which neurotransmitter are reduced in PD patients? A. Dopamine. B. Acetylcholine. C. Serotonine. D. GABA.

A. Dopamine.

The likelihood of developing Alzheimer's Disease, _____ every five years after the age of 65. A. Doubles B. Triples C. Is reduced by a third D. Stays the same

A. Doubles

ROS are mainly produced in the mitochondria as a by-product of the energy creating reactions of the: A. Electron transport chain. B. Beta-oxidation. C. Krebs Cycle. D. Calvin Cycle.

A. Electron transport chain.

Semantic memory refers to remembering: A. Facts. B. Small amounts of information for a short time period. C. Plan. D. Events.

A. Facts.

Superoxide O2- radicals are formed directly from molecular oxygen O2 by transfer of a single electron. Superoxides decompose rapidly and may pass on their extra electron to other molecules, thus creating more radicals, such as (select all that apply): A. Hydrogen peroxide. B. Peroxynitrites. C. Iron oxides.

A. Hydrogen peroxide. B. Peroxynitrites.

Glucose restriction has been shown to _____ mitochondrial metabolism and ROS production. A. Increase B. Not alter C. Decrease

A. Increase

The percentage of men with lower testosterone levels than their age-matched peers: A. Increases with age. B. Only increase in the oldest age groups. C. Does not change with age. D. Decreases with age.

A. Increases with age.

The SASP is a cellular phenotype that (select all that apply): A. Is indicative of a cell with too much 'damage' and thus has turned senescent. B. Induces genomic instability. C. Stops proliferation of neighboring cells. D. Drives proliferation of neighboring cells.

A. Is indicative of a cell with too much 'damage' and thus has turned senescent. D. Drives proliferation of neighboring cells.

Linkage analysis is particularly well-suited for aging studies, as (select all that apply): A. It does not rely on assumptions and is unbiased about disease/aging phenotypes. B. It works best in super-centenarians. C. Developmental effects can be excluded from calculations. D. The biology of the disease under study need not be known.

A. It does not rely on assumptions and is unbiased about disease/aging phenotypes. D. The biology of the disease under study need not be known.

Compared to centenarians, middle-aged individuals are: A. Just as useful subjects, as aging can be studied in these individuals in a longitudinal way. D. Less useful subjects, as they are not experiencing aging. C. Just as useful subjects, as they may serve as a valuable control group. D. Less useful subjects, as they are not yet past the aging threshold predicted by evolutionary theories if aging.

A. Just as useful subjects, as aging can be studied in these individuals in a longitudinal way.

Mice that produce more Superoxide Dismutase: A. Live just as long as their wild type counterparts. B. Live shorter than their wild type counterparts. C. Live longer than their wild type counterparts.

A. Live just as long as their wild type counterparts.

Experiments that shorten life span are: A. Marginally meaningful aging experiments, as shortened longevity may be due to other factors, such a disease development. B. Good aging experiments, as shortened longevity must be due to accelerated aging. C. Bad aging experiments, as nothing meaningful can be learned from shortened longevity.

A. Marginally meaningful aging experiments, as shortened longevity may be due to other factors, such a disease development.

Diastolic heart failure in congestive heart disease may be due to (select all that apply): A. Mitochondrial dysfunction. B. Chronic inflammation. C. Accumulation of DNA damage. D. Loss of protein homeostasis.

A. Mitochondrial dysfunction.

Which of the following stressors elicits a hormetic response? (select all that apply): A. Pesticides B. Heat C. Protein aggregation D. Cold E. Oxidative stress

A. Pesticides B. Heat C. Protein aggregation D. Cold E. Oxidative stress

In female Wister rats, Dietary Restriction has been shown to _____ oxidative damage in the liver and _______ oxidative damage in the heart. A. Reduce protein; does not alter DNA B. Does not change protein; does not alter DNA C. Reduce protein; lower protein D. Reduce protein; lower DNA

A. Reduce protein; does not alter DNA

In C. elegans, Dietary Restriction (the reduction in the intake of specific nutrients) and the age-1 mutation both reduce the age specific mortality rate. The eat-2 mutation reduces the number of times a nematode moves its 'mouth' muscles, reduces the age-specific mortality rate and increases stress resistance. It may: A. Represent a form of genetic Dietary Restriction. B. Interact with age-1. C. Mono-genetically modulate longevity. D. Decrease the hazard rate.

A. Represent a form of genetic Dietary Restriction.

The age-1 longevity mutant in C. elegans is (select all that apply): A. Resistant to heat stress. B. Resistant to social stress. C. Resistant to oxidative stress. D. Resistant to UV stress.

A. Resistant to heat stress. C. Resistant to oxidative stress. D. Resistant to UV stress.

Executive function refers to remembering: A. Small amounts of information for a short time period. B. Facts C. Events D. Emotions

A. Small amounts of information for a short time period.

The age-1 longevity mutant in C. elegans functions in: A. The IIS. B. The GST pathway. C. The JNK pathway. D. The NF-kB pathway.

A. The IIS.

Which of the following is a common definition of evolution? A. The change of gene frequencies over time B. Natural Selection C. The survival of the fittest D. The loss of beneficial genes

A. The change of gene frequencies over time

An obligate consequence of oxidative metabolism is (select all that apply): A. The more efficient generation of cellular energy. B. An increase in longevity. C. The generation of reactive oxygen radicals. D. Multicellularity.

A. The more efficient generation of cellular energy. C. The generation of reactive oxygen radicals.

The HPA Axis controls: A. The stress response. B. Food input and growth. C. Sexual development and maturation. D. Metabolic activity. E. Liquid balance.

A. The stress response.

Yeast cells (select all that apply): A. divide asymmetrically. B. divide symmetrically. C. do not age. D. sequester cellular damage into a daughter cell upon division. E. experience scarring.

A. divide asymmetrically. E. experience scarring.

Many small animals, especially invertebrates: A. live longer when raised in a colder environment. B. live shorter when raised in a colder environment. C. are unable to survive cold temperatures. D. have no change in longevity at different rearing temperatures.

A. live longer when raised in a colder environment.

age-1 mutants when exposed to UV damage live longer than the C. elegans N2 control strain by: A. ~ 1.5 fold B. ~ 2 fold C. ~ 3 fold D. Show no increase in longevity.

A. ~ 1.5 fold

C. elegans are very heat sensitive. Thus, heat pre-treatment for a short amount of time: A. Does not change animal longevity. B. Increases animal longevity. C. Shortens animal longevity.

B. Increases animal longevity.

Dementia: A. Always accompanies aging. B. Is not a necessary feature of aging. C. Preceeds MCI. D. Is required for brain dysfunction.

B. Is not a necessary feature of aging.

A proximate theory of aging addresses a: A. "where" question B. "how" question C. "why" question D. "when" question

B. "how" question

The heritability of life expectancy was estimated to be around: A. 15% B. 25% C. 45% D. 35%

B. 25%

A biomarker of aging is (select all that apply): A. An indicator of time passing since birth. B. An objective indicator of age-related normal and pathogenic processes. C. Always in agreement with chronological age. D. A possible indicator of remaining lifespan.

B. An objective indicator of age-related normal and pathogenic processes. D. A possible indicator of remaining lifespan.

FOXO3A was linked to an important role in aging by: A. GWAS analysis. B. Candidate studies. C. RFLP analysis. D. SNP analysis.

B. Candidate studies.

Increasing anti-oxidant capabilities in model animals by supplementation with anti-oxidants: A. Increases animal longevity. B. Does not change animal longevity. D. Shortens animal longevity.

B. Does not change animal longevity.

GWAS studies are powerful tools for large-scale SNP analysis used in the identification of disease loci. However, in human aging studies GWAS results thus far were underwhelming, because: A. SNPs are evenly distributed throughout the genome and thus proving linkage becomes difficult. B. GWAS requires far larger sample sizes than usually available in studies of older individuals. C. GWAS lacks resolving power for rare variants. D. There are too few aging-associated haplotypes.

B. GWAS requires far larger sample sizes than usually available in studies of older individuals.

The Hypothalamus produces: A. Luteinizing hormone. B. Growth-hormone releasing hormone. C. Growth hormone. D. Cortisol.

B. Growth-hormone releasing hormone.

During Aging (select all that apply): A. Hippocampal neurons are lost. B. Hippocampal LPT is weakened. C. Hippocampal post-synaptic density is lost. D. All of the above.

B. Hippocampal LPT is weakened. C. Hippocampal post-synaptic density is lost.

Growth hormone stimulates: A. Build-up of fat reserves. B. IGF-1 production in the liver. C. IGF-1 production in the pancreas. D. The release of cortisol.

B. IGF-1 production in the liver.

IIS is conserved A. Only in humanoids. B. In all animals. C. In worms and mice. D. In worms and flies.

B. In all animals.

The Ackermann model predicts (select all that apply): A. that damage is sequestered evenly in rapidly dividing cells. B. damage sequestration to be more efficient than repair, thus leading to functional separation of cell lineages. C. the damage sequestration constant a to be positive, leading to all damage to be passed on to only one daughter cell. D. that repair mechanism must necessarily evolve as a consequence of damage accumulation. E. that the amount of damage accumulated in a single generation is always constant.

B. damage sequestration to be more efficient than repair, thus leading to functional separation of cell lineages.

The rate-of-living theory predicts that (select all that apply): A. smaller animals have lower metabolic rates. B. larger animals have lower metabolic rates. C. larger animals have longer life spans. D. smaller animals have longer life spans.

B. larger animals have lower metabolic rates. C. larger animals have longer life spans.

The mutation accumulation theory, as described by Medawar, posits (select all that apply): A. that newly occurring mutations are predominantly neutral. B. that newly occurring mutations are predominantly detrimental, rather than beneficial. C. that beneficial mutations with effects late in life may spread through a population. D. that detrimental mutations with effects early in life may spread through a population. E. that detrimental mutations with effects late in life may spread through a population.

B. that newly occurring mutations are predominantly detrimental, rather than beneficial. E. that detrimental mutations with effects late in life may spread through a population.

Proximate theories of aging include (select all that apply): A. the rate-of-living theory. B. the protein homeostasis theory C. the free radical theory of aging D. the antagonistic-pleiotropy theory E. the telomere theory

B. the protein homeostasis theory C. the free radical theory of aging E. the telomere theory

The prevalence of Alzheimer's Disease by age 85 is approximately: A. 70% B. 40% C. 50% D. 60%

C. 50%

Drosophila has ____ insulin-like molecules. A. 2 B. 17 C. 7 D. 3

C. 7

Dementia is defined as: A. A loss of cognitive function that does not interfere with daily activities. B. The inability to remember names. C. A loss of cognitive function that is a decline from a person's previous intellectual state. D. Memory loss.

C. A loss of cognitive function that is a decline from a person's previous intellectual state.

Linkage analysis relies on the fact that genes that are located on the same chromosome: A. Are often clustered in long-lived individuals. B. Are functionally linked. C. Are usually inherited together. D. Are usually not inherited together.

C. Are usually inherited together.

fMRI measures areas of brain activity by: A. Comparing levels of oxy- and deoxyglucose. B. Detecting loss of neurons as brain lesions. C. Comparing levels of oxy- and deoxyhaemoglobin. D. Measuring levels of blood glucose.

C. Comparing levels of oxy- and deoxyhaemoglobin.

In cerebrovascular disease, blood vessel elasticity _____, and blood flow to the brain ______ A. Increases/increases B. Increases/gets restricted C. Declines/gets restricted D. Declines/increases

C. Declines/gets restricted

Urinary tract infections in the elderly can lead to: A. Alzheimer's Disease. B. Dementia. C. Delirium. D. Parkinson's Disease.

C. Delirium

The first experiment specifically designed to evolve animals with longer life spans was carried out in: A. Mice B. Baboons C. Drosophila D. C. elegans

C. Drosophila

A key molecule involved in the aging of skin and blood vessels is: A. ApoE4. B. Keratin. C. Elastin. D. Elastase.

C. Elastin.

The CARRIAGE linkage study is designed as a large-scale, genome-wide linkage study. Which of the following genes was identified in this study to be linked to aging? A. IGF B. P53 C. GCSF D. GH

C. GCSF

The study of which disease led to significant insights into the evolutionary biology of aging? A. Werner Syndrome B. Parkinson's Disease C. Huntington's Disease D. Alzheimer's Disease

C. Huntington's Disease

Which of the following is not a manifestation of the human aging phenome? A. Systolic hypertension. B. Reduction in lung capacity. C. Increased risk of chorea (involuntary muscle movements) D. Increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes. E. Reduced grip strength.

C. Increased risk of chorea (involuntary muscle movements)

Abnormal tau is found in tangles. Normal tau is: A. Involved in actin cytoskeleton homeostasis. B. Involved in dendrite homeostasis. C. Involved in microtubule homeostasis.

C. Involved in microtubule homeostasis.

A public mechanism of aging: A. Does not affect the aging of organs. B. Only affects a few individuals and their descendants. C. Is conserved in a variety of species. D. Is due to spontaneous mutations in a few select genes.

C. Is conserved in a variety of species.

Clinical AD is characterized by the occurrence of: A. All of the above. B. None of the above. C. Senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. D. Senile tangles and neurofibrillary plaques. E. Senile lesions and neuronal tangles.

C. Senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.

Which of the following genes is not an example of an antagonistic-pleiotropic gene? A. p53 B. Presenilin1 C. Sonic Hedgehog D. daf-2 E. ApoE4

C. Sonic Hedgehog

At which age is the age-specific mortality rate the lowest in humans? A. 40-45 B. 20-25 C. 30-35 D. 10-15

D. 10-15

Which of the following is not associated with Parkinson's Disease? A. Ubiquitin plaques. B. Movement difficulties. C. Reduced facial expression. D. Abeta plaques.

D. Abeta plaques.

Catecholamines and Thyroid Hormones: A. Both stimulate the liver to secrete IGF-1. B. Act on the pituitary gland in a positive feedback loop. C. Are antagonistic in the regulation of metabolic rate. D. Act together to increase metabolic rate.

D. Act together to increase metabolic rate.

Every organ in the body: A. Ages at the same rate. B. Does not age, the organism itself ages. C. Fails before maximal individual longevity can be achieved. D. Ages at a different rate.

D. Ages at a different rate.

Atheromas develop because: A. Fatty acid carrying apolipoproteins get stuck on the endothelial cells inside blood vessels. B. Apolipoproteins are loaded with too many fatty acid and cholesterolm precursors. C. Capillaries lose their ability to constrict. D. Fatty acid carrying apolipoproteins get stuck under the endothelial layer of blood vessels.

D. Fatty acid carrying apolipoproteins get stuck under the endothelial layer of blood vessels.

The rate of aging is usually assessed in humans starting at: A. The end of peak reproductive period. B. The beginning of puberty. C. Birth. D. Full sexual maturity.

D. Full sexual maturity.

Catalase specifically detoxifies: A. Superoxide B. Peroxynitrile C. Hydoxyl radical D. Hydrogen peroxide

D. Hydrogen peroxide

The DMN is a neuronal network that is implied in: A. Decision making. B. Motor function. C. Memory formation. D. Introspection.

D. Introspection.

Brain aging is associated with: A. Loss of serotoinergic neurons, especially in the prefrontal cortex. B. Loss of serotoninergic neurons, especially in the substantia nigra C. Loss of dopaminergic neurons, especially in the prefrontal cortex. D. Loss of dopaminergic neurons, especially in the substantia nigra.

D. Loss of dopaminergic neurons, especially in the substantia nigra.

In the age-1 longevity mutant in C. elegans: A. Hazard function is lowered. B. Developmental timing is extended, leading to increased longevity. C. Both mortality rate and hazard function are lowered. D. Mortality rate is lowered.

D. Mortality rate is lowered.

Age-related cancers may be caused by: A. Chronic inflammation. B. Mitochondrial dysfunction. C. Depletion of stem cell reservoirs. D. Multiple genetic 'hits', leading to mutation.

D. Multiple genetic 'hits', leading to mutation.

Small differences in gene sequence that account for inter-individual variation are called: A. CNVs B. BMPs C. TGVs D. SNPs

D. SNPs

The normal function of APP may be to: A. All of the above. B. Hyperphosphorylate tau. C. Induce cell death. D. Serve as a molecular switch to control neurite outgrowth and retraction E. None of the above.

D. Serve as a molecular switch to control neurite outgrowth and retraction

Which of the following is associated with hippocampal aging? A. Brain area shrinkage. B. You Answered All of the above. C. Cell loss. D. Source memory loss. E. None of the above.

D. Source memory loss.

Homeostasis describes: A. The functional decline of cellular maintenance with age. B. A decrease in the ability of an organism to maintain itself within a narrow range of parameters. C. The ability of an organism to adjust to changing environmental conditions. D. The ability of an organism to maintain itself within a narrow range of parameters.

D. The ability of an organism to maintain itself within a narrow range of parameters.

Antagonistic-pleiotropy predicts that: A. successful selection for increased longevity should result in increased fitness. B. populations subject to low predation rates should evolve high senescence rates. C. senescence affects the germ line cells more than somatic cells. D. successful selection for increased longevity should result in decreased fitness in early life.

D. successful selection for increased longevity should result in decreased fitness in early life.

Which of the following has been shown to improve pre-clinical MCI? A. Mental exercise B. Aerobic exercise C. None of the above D. Diets high in unsaturated fats E. All of the above

E. All of the above

Abeta, a cleaved form of APP, has been shown to: A. None of the above. B. Accumulate in senile plaques. C. Lead to neurite retraction. D. Induce cell death. E. All of the above.

E. All of the above.

Which of the following age-associated risk factors contribute to Cerebrovascular disease? A. Diabetes mellitus B. Obesity C. Diets high in saturated fat D. Smoking E. All of the above.

E. All of the above.

The HPS Axis controls: A. Metabolic activity. B. The stress response. C. Sexual development and maturation. D. Liquid balance. E. Food input and growth.

E. Food input and growth.

The HPT Axis: A. Liquid balance. B. Sexual development and maturation. C. Food input and growth. D. The stress response. E. Metabolic activity.

E. Metabolic activity.