Theories of

Biological Aging
Ep 740 AL-Human Development
Fall 2014
Katy Bajoras

Aging

Not very understood

Complex changes influenced by

biological factors
psychosocial factors
social factors

Scientific investigations are beginning to

identify correlations between human biology
and other factors to piece together this
intricate mystery.

A QUICK
REVIEW IN
BASIC BIOLOGY

Understanding our past

www.fossweb.com

Characteristics of Life

All living organisms

Move
Reproduce
Stimuli (respond to)
Grow
Respire
Eliminate waste
Need nutrients and water

All living organisms are made of cells.

Understanding the Cell

The cell is the most complete & basic

unit of life.

Cells create all living organisms:

Single celled organisms
microorganisms

Multicellular organisms
plants; animals; humans

Understanding the Cell

Cells that
work
together to
create
multicellular
organisms

Cells that are

single celled
organisms

Single-celled Organisms

Living organisms that exhibit the 7

characteristics of life on their own.

Multicellular Organisms

plants; animals; humans

are comprised of many cells/systems
of cells working together so that the
organism exhibits the 7
characteristics of life

Understanding Human
Cells

Genetic Makeups

all organisms have different genetic

makeups, which cause them to:
exhibit these 7 characteristics in different ways
be predisposed to certain conditions
have different genetic biological clocks

Humans Biological Clocks

According to the CDC life expectancy as of

2011 is age 78.7

Biological Theories of
Aging

Cellular Clock Theory

Free-Radical Theory

Mitochondrial Theory

Autoimmune Responsiveness Theory

Hormonal Stress Theory

Cellular Clock Theory

Cells becoming defective because of

errors in DNA genetic code (Binger,
307).

As cell reproduce over time,

ERRORS in the DNA chain are
inevitable (Binger, 307).

Aging is at a cellular level

Cellular Clock Theory

https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJDRz5H
SZl0

Free-Radical Theory

As cells process nutrients for energy, they

release unstable oxygen molecules.

The cell is slowly destroyed from the

inside from the unstable oxygen foreign
intruders.

The cell releases antioxidant enzymes,

but over time the cell releases fewer
enzymes than free-radicals.

Free-Radical Theory

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
RmeogBhhs0E&index=1&list=PLA__
kGbW5Q5S6zMBYF6hHLaGMnhFEXeA
4

Mitochondrial Theory

The cousin of free-radical theory

More specific explanation of the deterioration of our cells through unstable
oxidation

Mitochondria are the blast furnace for the cell

Food is converted to energy here
Over time the capacity for the furnace to do its job of changing food to energy
diminishes, causeing a loss of cellular activity.

The oxidation of our cells

The rusting of our cells and bodies
Oxygen that we breath and the super charged electrons from the food that we
eat cause the oxygen molecule to transform into superoxide and damage our
cells.

So aging is the slow oxidation of our cells and in turn of our

bodies via our cells mitochondria.

Autoimmune Responsiveness
Theory

Old age is attributed to a diminished autoimmune

responsive system

Our bodies are programed to fight foreign bodies

(antigens)
These antigens can be biotic, chemical, food bases (gluten)
The immune system sends swat teams and further antibodies to fight
the antigens

Over time the body begins to recognize its own tissues

as antigens and sends the swat teams to fight what
it perceives as foreign; essentially killing itself and/or
depleting its abilities to fight real antigens.
While childhood deaths are often from external factors such as infectious
disease.

Hormonal Stress Theory

What I will die from

https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9vCVz6
Lj_Q

Hormonal Stress Theory

So how does this contribute to ageing?

The stress generator is linked to the immune

system.

As we keep this generator of stress control on

continuously, over time it loses power.

This causes a diminished capacity in the immune

system, and essentially over time does not allow
the immune system to fight true antigens.

What do you
think about
aging?

References

Bigner, J., & Grayson, T. (2010). Foundations in Human

Development(Second ed., pp. 292-301). Ridding: BVT Publishing.

Bowden. (July 21, 2010). Aging: How Does Stress Affect This? - Dr. Bowden.
EmpowerHER. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9vCVz6Lj_Q

CDC. FastStats. Life Expectancy. Retrieved December 7, 2014. http://

www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/life-expectancy.htm

Fossweb.com Retrieved December 5, 2014

http://www.fossweb.com/delegate/ssi-wdf-ucm-webContent/Contribution
%20Folders/FOSS/multimedia_ms_1E/EarthHistory/media/time_machine.ht
m

Gregor. (February 9, 2011). Mitochondrial Theory of Aging.

NutritionFacts.org. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdHZyq1cD6E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocqn3wYTCRM

References

Hickey, K. (May 14, 2014). Cellular Clock Theory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJDRz5HSZl0 .

Newman, B. M., & Newman, P. R. (2012). Development through life.

Apsychosocialapproach (11th ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage
Learning.

Takahashi, J, Ph.D. (November 21, 2013).The clock in our genes in

every cell of your body.

turwellness. What is Auto-Immune Disease? (Nov 25, 2009) http

://drkevinconners.com/the-clinic /...

Worldbookonline.com retrieved December 5, 2014. http://

www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Login?ed=wb