Gr 11 Aging

Modern Biological Theories of Aging

Apoptosis is programmed cell death (‘cell suicide’)

• Apoptosis is a controlled event regulated by molecular signals which inhibit or promote this process
• Mitochondrial proteins play an important role in initiating apoptotic processes
• Catabolic reactions are triggered which digest cytoplasmic components, including the cytoskeleton
• The plasma membrane undergoes irregular bulging, or blebbing, and cell contents are repackaged for safe removal
• The cell shrinks and fragments into apoptotic bodies which are subsequently engulfed by neighbouring cells