| Abstract: | Aging is accompanied by a gradual loss of bodily functions. A wide variety of mechanisms may contribute to the decline in the performance of most organs and tissues. The decrease in several functions can be partially ascribed to a loss of functional cells or, probably more important, an age-related decline in functions of the cells present.Many hypotheses have been proposed to explain cellular aging. It may be genetically programmed, result from damage to the genetic material, be due to errors in the transmission of the genetic information for the synthesis of proteins or reflect changes in cellular proteins after their synthesis. It is doubtful, however, whether a single theory will explain all aspects. |
