The Biology of AgingEgocentricity is characteristically human. It is natural for our prime in terest to be ourselves and for one of our major concerns to be what affects us personally. Aging and death - universal and inevitable have always been of compelling concern. Mystical explanations were invented when scientific answers were lacking. and gross physiologi As scientific knowledge developed, anatomy cal processes were explained, and the roles of the endocrine glands were revealed. Since the sex hormones obviously lose some of their potency with age, it was logical to assume that they played the major role in declining general well-being. The puzzle of aging would now be solved. The Ponce de Leon quest would soon be fulfilled. Pseudoscientists and quacks rushed in where most scientists feared to tread. By the time the glowing promises of perpetual youth through gland transplants and injections had proved illusory, serious study of the aging process had been set back for years. The field had lost "respect ability," and most capable scientists shunned it. Those who did con tinue to seek answers to its tough questions deserve special recognition. |
Contents
Chapter | 1 |
A Model System Approach | 19 |
Is Limited Cell Proliferation the Clock That Times Aging? | 33 |
Copyright | |
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abnormal abscission accumulation activity adult age changes age-related aging process alcohol altered amino acids animals antibiosenescent processes biochemical biological biosenescent processes blood bone brain cancer catecholamines cause cell division cell lines cellular chromosomal chronoage collagen correlation cytokinins death decline decrease developmentally linked diet dietary differentiation diploid disease DNA damage donor drugs effects elderly enzymes estrogen example factors Figure fruits function genes genetic Gerontology gland growth human hypothalamus immune increased individuals intake intrinsic L-dopa laboratory levels lipofuscin living longevity loss lymphocytes mammalian species maximum life-span potential membrane menopause metabolism mice molecular molecules mouse muscle mutations neurons normal nutrient nutritional occur older organism osteoporosis oxygen physiological pituitary plant pleiotropic population possible produce rats receptors repair reproductive response result rotifers senescence sexual maturation stem cells steroid studies syndrome testosterone thyroid hormone tion transplanted tumors vitamin vitamin D xylem young