Exam 2: Biologic Aging Theories and Longevity

Correct Answer:

Answered by Examlex AI Copilot

1. Cross-sectional studies: These studies only provide a snapshot of data at a single point in time, so they cannot establish cause and effect relationships. They also do not account for changes in individuals over time, such as lifestyle changes or health improvements.

2. Case-control studies: These studies rely on individuals self-reporting their past behaviors or exposures, which can be unreliable. They also may not accurately represent the general population, as they often rely on specific groups of individuals with a certain condition or outcome.

3. Cohort studies: While cohort studies can provide valuable long-term data, they are expensive and time-consuming to conduct. They also require a large number of participants to account for potential confounding variables, and they may suffer from high dropout rates over time.

4. Randomized controlled trials: These studies are often considered the gold standard for establishing cause and effect relationships, but they can be difficult to conduct in longevity research. Long-term follow-up is needed to assess the effects of interventions on lifespan, and ethical concerns may arise when studying interventions that could potentially harm participants.

Overall, each type of study has its own limitations when it comes to researching longevity, and researchers must carefully consider these drawbacks when designing and interpreting their studies.