Final answer:
Gerontology is the study of aging and is not related to the study of germs and diseases of the GI tract. Instead, gerontology focuses on understanding the biological, medical, and societal aspects of aging.
Step-by-step explanation:
False, gerontology is not the study of germs and diseases affecting the GI tract. Instead, gerontology is the field of science that focuses on understanding the aging process and the challenges that arise as individuals grow older. Gerontologists explore various dimensions of getting older, from the biological aspects of aging to the societal impacts on elderly individuals. In contrast, the study of germs, specifically pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and their role in diseases primarily falls under the disciplines of microbiology and infectious disease medicine, which are very different from gerontology.
GI tract disorders, including illnesses caused by germs, are explored by medical professionals and researchers with specific expertise in diseases of the gastrointestinal system. For example, gastroenterologists and infectious disease specialists may study conditions like gastritis, ulcers, or foodborne illnesses that can affect the digestive system.