Biogerontology
Biogerontology
Biogerontology (pronounced: bio-ger-on-tol-o-gy) is a sub-discipline of gerontology that focuses on the biological aspects of aging. The term is derived from the Greek words "bios" (life), "geron" (old man), and "logia" (study).
Definition
Biogerontology is the study of the biological basis of aging and age-related diseases. It aims to understand the underlying processes that lead to the aging phenomenon and related pathologies.
History
The field of biogerontology has its roots in the early 20th century, when scientists first began to study the effects of aging on the human body. However, it wasn't until the latter half of the century that biogerontology emerged as a distinct discipline within gerontology.
Related Terms
- Gerontology: The scientific study of old age, the process of aging, and the particular problems of old people.
- Senescence: The condition or process of deterioration with age.
- Longevity: The fact of living for many years.
- Geriatrics: The branch of medicine or social science dealing with the health and care of old people.
Research Areas
Biogerontology research is multidisciplinary and often involves fields such as genetics, cell biology, biochemistry, and physiology. Some of the key areas of research include:
- Cellular senescence: The phenomenon where cells lose their ability to divide and function properly.
- Genetic factors in aging: The study of how genes influence the aging process.
- Oxidative stress: The damage to cells caused by reactive oxygen species.
- Telomeres and telomerase: The study of the ends of chromosomes and the enzyme that can extend them.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Biogerontology
- Wikipedia's article - Biogerontology
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski