Which statement is true regarding the aging process of cartilage?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for information regarding the changes in cartilage as it ages. Specifically, it seeks to identify which of the provided statements accurately reflects the process of aging in cartilage.
Answer
Cartilage becomes less flexible and less capable of repair with age.
Aging affects cartilage by reducing its flexibility and cellular activity, leading to degeneration and decreased repair capacity.
Answer for screen readers
Aging affects cartilage by reducing its flexibility and cellular activity, leading to degeneration and decreased repair capacity.
More Information
As people age, their cartilage experiences decreases in cellular activity and flexibility, making it more prone to degeneration and less able to repair itself.
Tips
A common mistake is to assume that cartilage can repair itself as quickly as other tissues; in reality, it has a limited ability for repair, especially as it ages.
Sources
- Aging changes in the bones - muscles - joints - MedlinePlus - medlineplus.gov
- Roles of Articular Cartilage Aging and Chondrocyte Senescence - pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov