Why do we Age?
Abstract
Aging is a process almost all organisms on earth undergo. This is because as cells divide overtime they lose small portions of their DNA due the nature of DNA replication and eventually it reaches a point where the cell dies. In order to prolong this process, our DNA utilizes telomeres, long segments of DNA at the end of our chromosomes that’s main function is to protect important DNA from being lost. Telomeres can cause other issues though. Telomerase is an enzyme that repairs telomeres and while it can be beneficial, cancer cells are often the result of telomerase working too well causing rapid uninterrupted cell division.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Melissa Pespeni
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Biology
Primary Research Category
Life Sciences
Why do we Age?
Aging is a process almost all organisms on earth undergo. This is because as cells divide overtime they lose small portions of their DNA due the nature of DNA replication and eventually it reaches a point where the cell dies. In order to prolong this process, our DNA utilizes telomeres, long segments of DNA at the end of our chromosomes that’s main function is to protect important DNA from being lost. Telomeres can cause other issues though. Telomerase is an enzyme that repairs telomeres and while it can be beneficial, cancer cells are often the result of telomerase working too well causing rapid uninterrupted cell division.
