CLP 4314 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Hair Loss, Diabetic Retinopathy
7 Apr 2017
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Document Summary
One theory of aging postulates that organisms have only so much energy to expend in a lifetime. Telomeres: tips of the chromosomes that shorten with each replication. Help regulate the cell division + reproduction process. Telomerase: an enzyme need in dna replication to fully reproduce the telomeres when cells divide. Normally not present in somatic cells so with each replication the telomeres become shorter. The possibility of aging being programmed into our genetic code sees more likely as the explosion of knowledge about human genetics continues. Even when cell death appears random, researchers believe that such losses may be part of a mater genetic program that underlies the aging process. Appears to be a function of physiological processes, the innate ability of cells to self-destruct, + the ability of dying triggers key processes in other cells. There are 3 general research-based approaches to the work aimed at slowing/reversing aging. The goal is to delay the chronic illnesses of old age.
