As an individual gets older, which of the following physiological changes accompany the ageing process?

A. Lean body weight decreases

B. Body fat percentage increases

C. Blood pressure decreases

D. Reaction time increases

E. Basal Metabolic rate decreases

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Key Points

As an individual gets older the following physiological changes accompany the ageing process

• The cardiac output decreases
• Blood pressure increases and arteriosclerosis develops.
• The lungs show impaired gas exchange, a decrease in vital capacity and slower expiratory flow rates.
• The aging process is indeed characterized by an increase in body total fat mass and a concomitant decrease in lean mass and bone density.
• Osteoporosis is frequently seen due to a linear decline in bone mass
• The epidermis of the skin atrophies with age and due to changes in collagen and elastin the skin loses its tone and elasticity.
• Lean body mass declines with age and this is primarily due to loss and atrophy of muscle cells.
• Degenerative changes occur in many joints and this, combined with the loss of muscle mass, inhibits elderly patients' locomotion.
• The basal metabolic rate decreases almost linearly with age as people become less active with age. Being less active can significantly slow down metabolism, as it is responsible for 10–30% of  daily calories burned.

Therefore we can say that the correct answer is A, B and E only