old age
For this paper, review the module material on your specific topic. Then, write a paper describing in detail primary aging contributions to this condition as well as the secondary aging contributions as they relate to physical, cognitive, social, and psychological changes. You will need to conduct Internet research and cite the sources to obtain additional information on your topic. For example, explaining the primary aging contributions to physical changes in middle adulthood will require that you visit, read, summarize, and cite medical sites on the Internet. It is crucial that you rephrase material in your own words and cite it or put phrases from the sources in quotation marks and cite them. No more than a few sentences should be directly quoted in order for you to receive credit for writing this paper (in other words, no credit is given for a paper that is a string of other people’s quotes).
Your research must include at least four journal articles or books. Websites can be very helpful and informative, but your final paper must include full, published research articles or books on the topic. Sources should be reputable and consistent with what you learned in the module as well as other sources. GoogleScholar and PDF articles from the Internet can be helpful resources. Make sure you use good search terms when trying to find articles. You may want to start broad (for example, “bystander effect”), and then narrow to your particular area. This paper requirement means that you need to include at least two primary sources in your paper; articles from the Internet can be included, but they would be in addition to the two minimum primary sources. Primary sources are firsthand accounts; thus, they involve the author writing about his or her own work.
As a general rule of thumb, at least 1.5 pages should focus on primary contributions to the issue at hand and at least 1.5 pages should focus on secondary contributions. Finally, conclude the paper by indicating which side (primary or secondary) gives the strongest contribution or whether they are both needed. The paper should follow the following format:
I. Introduction. Introduce your topic.
II. Description and research on “primary” components
III. Description and research on “secondary” components
IV. Evaluation: which side (primary, secondary) most strongly contributes to aging?
MODULE MATERIAL FOR THIS SPECIFIC TOPIC
Primary and Secondary Aging
Aging seems to be such a natural part of life that few people (besides scientists!) may stop to consider why we age. There are actually two types of aging: primary and secondary aging.
Primary aging is genetically influenced and thought to be unavoidable at this point. What triggers this process, however, is up for debate.
Secondary aging is aging that is not inevitable. It is a result of choices that we make and environmental exposure. For example, smoking cigarettes and frequent sun exposure cause wrinkles.
Regarding why we age, many people may believe in the “wear and tear” theory. According to this theory, time and exertion is the enemy. As we get older, we simply wear out. However, there are numerous holes to this theory, and it doesn’t take into account that the body does an amazing job of repairing itself under normal circumstances. What is it about getting older that results in the body not being able to keep up with these repairs? Thus, this theory does not explain what actually causes this issue. That is, this theory focuses primarily on secondary aging but sidesteps the root of the problem, that is, primary aging. Also, individuals who engage in moderate to vigorous exercise and activity are typically healthier and longer-lived compared to more sedentary individuals. It is not simply that slowing down and taking it easy will minimize the effects of aging. Healthy levels of activity, at least for humans, are necessary for good health throughout the lifespan.
Scientists currently look at DNA for answers to the aging riddle. For example, specific genes seem to be at least partly responsible for longevity as well as the age at which noticeable physical changes occur in aging. Other genetic theories consider cumulative effects that damage DNA, resulting in aging. For example, free radicals triggered by certain environmental contaminants might be linked to various diseases and maladies that coincide with aging. Accumulating free radicals over time might be associated with problems such as cataracts and arthritis (this is the free radical theory). However, much more work needs to be done to understand the process and causes of aging. As you watch the video in this module, be sure to note the following biological theories of aging: rate of living theory, cellular theories, and programmed cell death theories. Here are some additional notes to help guide you as you watch the video:
Cellular theories of aging: These theories include the phenomenon known as the Hayflick Limit (named after the discoverer of the phenomenon), which states that human adult cells have a limited number of times that they can divide. After this limit is reached, the cells will begin to die. The free radicals theory would also be a cellular theory.
Programmed cell death theories: These theories focus on how cells appear to be designed to self-destruct. A variety of processes contribute to this programmed cell death, and many of the diseases associated with aging, such as osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s, have evidence of being at least partly caused by these processes.
