Hayflick limit

The Hayflick limit refers to the number of times a normal, somatic human cell can divide before it stops due to aging. Typically, this limit is around 40 to 60 divisions. After reaching this limit, cells enter a state called senescence, where they no longer divide. This phenomenon is linked to the gradual shortening of telomeres, protective caps on the ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division. This process is a natural part of aging and helps prevent the uncontrolled cell growth seen in cancer.