Theories of Cellular Aging

Theories of cellular aging explore why cells gradually lose their ability to function properly over time. One idea, the **programmed aging theory**, suggests our genes guide this process, like a biological clock. The **error or damage theory** proposes that ongoing damage from free radicals (unstable molecules) harms cells, leading to decline. The **telomere theory** states that protective DNA ends called telomeres shorten with each cell division, eventually causing cells to stop dividing. Collectively, these theories help explain how and why our cells age, contributing to the overall aging process in the body.