Aging is the progressively decline in all physical processes of an organism. Two competing theories of aging for long time in the research community were that aging is either due to pure damage accumulation or a strict program. Perhaps it is rather something in-between both. Numerous studies have repeatedly indicated that the aging process has both a strong genetic as well as environmental components. In some sense aging is an evolutionary programmed process of physiological decline in functions which is also influenced by the environment. It is not a purposeful program, but rather a genetically regulated, quasi-programmed process. Thus it is kinda a genetic trait similar to hair color. Although it is not a universal trait, as there are species which do not appear to age at all, it is quite widespread among most species. The molecular mechanisms and its root cause remains an enigma.
Aging is not merely an uncontrolled, random process, but rather than regulated similar to although not as strictly as development but it also amenable to interventions, opening it up to possible manipulations.
Decoding the aging process is the declared aim of the Denigma project.
Tags: biogerontology, senesence, process
Created on Nov. 9, 2012, 7:26 a.m. by Hevok & updated by Hevok on May 2, 2013, 4:55 p.m.
