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Evolutionary Theories of Aging
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Mutation Accumulation
This theory suggests that aging results from the accumulation of mutations that affect an organism's viability and reproductive success.
Antagonistic Pleiotropy
This theory posits that genes that are beneficial early in life can have detrimental effects in later life, thereby contributing to the aging process.
Disposable Soma Theory
This theory contends that organisms allocate resources between growth, maintenance, and reproduction, leading to aging as the result of imperfect maintenance over time.
Red Queen Hypothesis and Aging
This principle suggests that evolutionary changes are constant and ongoing in order to maintain fitness relative to other organisms, which can relate to aging through co-evolutionary dynamics.
Evolution of Senescence
The development of gradual deterioration of function characteristic of most complex life forms with the passage of time (aging), from an evolutionary perspective.
Life History Theory and Aging
This theory provides an analytical framework for understanding how natural selection shapes traits such as lifespan, reproduction, and aging in the context of an organism’s life cycle.
Rate of Living Theory
This theory assumes a direct proportionality between an organism's metabolic rate and its lifespan, implying a link between energy expenditure and aging.
Mother's Curse
This concept suggests that mitochondria, which are maternally inherited, may accumulate mutations that are harmful to males but affect females less, influencing aging and disease.
Pleiotropic Genes and Aging
Pleiotropic genes have multiple effects, and this concept explores how such genes can influence both the aging process and various traits throughout an organism's life.
Evolutionary Divergence of Aging
This topic examines how different species have evolved diverse aging processes and lifespan strategies in response to their unique environmental pressures.
Genetic Drift and Aging
This phenomenon looks at how random changes in genetic frequencies can contribute to the aging process in populations, especially in small populations or those with reduced gene flow.
Caloric Restriction and Longevity
Studies have suggested that reduced caloric intake, without malnutrition, can extend lifespan in various organisms, potentially providing insights into the connection between metabolism and aging.
Aging, Telomeres, and Evolution
This topic explores the role that telomeres, protective structures at the ends of chromosomes, play in cellular aging and their evolutionary implications in lifespan determination.
Evolutionary Biological Clocks
The idea that there could be mechanisms which act like an internal clock to trigger age-related changes, and what evolutionary factors influence these mechanisms.
Social Evolution and Aging
This perspective evaluates how social structures and behaviors in certain species, including humans, can impact aging and its evolutionary development.
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