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Theories of Aging
Theories of Aging
Theories of Aging
GEROTRANSENDENCE (SOCIOLOGIC)
- Recent theory that suggests aging entails a transition from a
rational, materialistic metaperspective to a cosmic and
transcendent vision (Tornstam, 1994).
- as they age , people are less concerned with material
possessions, meaningless relationships
- desire a life of more significance and a greater connection
with others.
Thus many elderly people die of diseases that they could have
resisted when they were younger.
Error theory
Ascribes aging to the accumulation of errors inthe process of info
rmation flow from genes to proteins
The errors create faultyproteins that do not function normally, res
ulting in impaired cell function and death.
Program theory
aging is an essential and innate part of the biology of people, and
that aging is programmed into our body systems.
Aging, therefore, must be inherent in the organism and not
simply a result of environmental factors or disease.
So aging and death, according to this theory, are not a result
of wear and tear or exposure, but are a programmed, natural and
necessary part of genetics. - we are programmed to age and die.
Immunity theory
The immune system theory of aging is that the rate of aging is
largely controlled by the immune system.
As we age, the numbers of critical cells in the immune system
decrease and become less functional.
Biologic clock theory
can be used to measure the age of most human tissues, cell types,
or organs
it allows one to contrast the ages of different
it can be used to identify tissues that show evidence of
accelerated age due to disease.