The Science of Aging

Why do we age, from a biological perspective?

Written and created by Mitchell Moffit (twitter @mitchellmoffit) and Gregory Brown (twitter @whalewatchmeplz).

Mitchell Moffit

Gregory Brown

Further Reading --

Senesence:

Aging Factors:

Telomeres:

Telomeres and Cancer:

Flatworms:

[angelicahennessey]

I wonder how many times a week you guys buy expo markers lol

[Antwriterdragon]

LOL "why is my telemore so short..." 'you got that from your father"


Come on.... We all saw that joke right??

[saikumar]

CHANGES SEEN DURING AGING ARE-
1.Increased free radicals*& decreased levels of antioxidants.
2.Decreased expression of IGF-1 gene*
3.Increased cross linking of collagen*
4.Increased somatic mutation due toDNA damages*
5.Telomere shortening*

[JustinShaedo]

As a scientist that's studied and researched in this field, I just wanted to say what a great explanation that was! Respect :)

[lpoiuytrewqazxcvbnmk]

This makes so much sense, I thought I was part of a family of demigods because my great grandparents are currently 90 and 91, and I had so many plans with being immortal too ...

[yeah]

telomeres is the one thing that should get the most funding for research, they hold the key to the most important technology in history.

[galactose_fructosemonosacc]

It is scary that one day you will no longer be conscious or alive the most scary part is that there is no way to stop it or come back

[imablowyomind]

I dont wanna die amd lose my thinking forever.

[BinkieMcFartnuggets]

So basically, telomeres are the reason my grandma shat herself at Thanksgiving.

[jessicastevenson]

I would be interested in a video about ADHD inattentive, hyperactive and combination types. I have been diagnosed as a young adult (23 inattentive type.) and it has changed my life substantially for the better I'd love to know more and understand it better and your videos do such a great job!

[venrajful]

science. making the world better, yet when explained makes you fear for your life.

[merpderpyerp]

Why do stomachs growl or rumble when we're hungry..?

[authenticmuffin]

I have a question!
How come humans evolved into the superior life form? Why didn't another species that has been here longer evolved?

[dang]

Growth hormones also play a vital role in aging because it is essential for development as well as biological maintenance. Growth hormones induce cell proliferation, it tells the cells in your bodies to multiply, but too much GH can be a bad thing because cells can only divide so many times.

[EpicJones]

what is being in your 'prime' as a young adult?  Why/how/are we able to classify someone's prime age?

[skatetheworld]

AGH THE BACKGROUND MUSIC IS STARTING TO KILL ME!

[VKDante]

You have just earned a subscriber sir. Great stuff.

[RitchiGames]

AsapScience: We're program to die

Me: *gets scared*

Me*thinks*; god why!




Relatives died

Me cries in bathroom

[nickfooz]

10 years in the future:

Little Jimmy suffers from premature ageing disease. At 15, he has aged twice as fast and as a result is already bald, pot bellied and somehow unable to pay his mortgage even though he still live with his parents. Doctors now have developed a revolutionary technique to slow down the ageing rate of Jimmy to that of a normal healthy person.

Doctor: "Congratulations Jimmy, now you won't die at 35, instead now you'll die at 70 like you should. Thanks to science!."

Jimmy: "Only 70? But my grandparents are 95."

Doctor: "Yes but your genes say you should die at 70"

Jimmy:"How hard is it to make it longer than that?"

Doctor: "Extremely easy. We just move this slider right here. See, it's at 70 now."

Jimmy: "How far does it go?"

Doctor: "Up to 100 million. It could go higher but we couldn't fit it on the screen."

Jimmy: "Could you make it 80 at least?"

Doctor: "No."

Jimmy: "Can I do it?"

Doctor: "No, only a professional has the required training to move the slider"

Jimmy: "Can you move it to 75?"

Doctor: "No"

[TheAzzyz]

i like how he neglected oxidative stress damage which is widely believed to be linked to certain disease and cancers [cancer, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, heart failure, myocardial infarction, fragile X syndrome, Sickle Cell Disease, lichen planus, vitiligo, autism, and chronic fatigue syndrome (wikipedia)] not to forget glycation, ...err chronological age also but that is a comparatively small factor.