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The free radical theory of aging states that organisms age because cells accumulate free radical damage over time. [1] A free radical is any atom or molecule that has a single unpaired electron in an outer shell. [2] While a few free radicals such as melanin are not chemically reactive, most biologically relevant free radicals are highly ...
The species with longer lifespans were found to have slower accumulation of DNA damage, a finding consistent with the DNA damage theory of aging. [119] In healthy humans after age 50, endogenous DNA single- and double-strand breaks increase linearly, and other forms of DNA damage also increase with age in blood mononuclear cells. [ 120 ]
The somatic mutation theory of ageing states that accumulation of mutations in somatic cells is the primary cause of aging. A comparison of somatic mutation rate across several mammal species found that the total number of accumulated mutations at the end of lifespan was roughly equal across a broad range of lifespans. [ 16 ]
Evidence supporting the theory started to crumble in the early 2000s. Mice with reduced expression of the mitochondrial antioxidant, SOD2, accumulated oxidative damage and developed cancer, but did not age faster. [33] Overexpression of antioxidants reduced cellular stress, but did not increase mouse life span.
All evolutionary theories of aging rest on the basic mechanisms that the force of natural selection declines with age. [19] [20] Mechanistic theories of aging can be divided into theories that propose aging is programmed, and damage accumulation theories, i.e. those that propose aging to be caused by specific molecular changes occurring over time.
Stochastic theories of aging are theories suggesting that aging is caused by small changes in the body over time and the body's failure to restore the system and mend the damages to the body. Cells and tissues are injured due to the accumulation of damage over time resulting in the diminished functioning of organs.
However, this compromise is thought to damage somatic repair systems, which can lead to progressive cellular damage and senescence. [4] Repair costs can be categorized into three groups: (1) the costs of increased durability of nonrenewable parts ; (2) the costs of maintenance involving cell renewal , and (3) the costs of intracellular ...
Cross-links. Crosslinking of DNA; Free radicals – atom, molecule, or ion that has unpaired valence electrons. With some exceptions, these unpaired electrons make free radicals highly chemically reactive towards other substances, or even towards themselves: their molecules will often spontaneously dimerize or polymerize if they come in contact with each other.