Im a junior in highschool and been wondering for this for hours since i was in my biology class. Ok so my teacher was telling us about cells and how the reproduce and such,and said that cells dont ever stop making themselves they only reach their maximum potential which means they slow down their process of which they multiply. So if the smallest building blocks of our bodies never cease to regenerate then how do us,the organisms, die after a good 80 years or so.? Cells never quit making other cells untill we die,but we still do. Any feedback would be appropriated,no stupid answers,thanks. :)
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Cell reproduction is not "perfect" - meaning that each generation contains an increasing number of errors. We see at the macro scale by the aging process - our skin and other organs change even as the cells within them continue to reproduce.
Death occurs when this buildup of "errors" overwhelms the body's ability to repair itself.
At a fundamental level, this is just a manifestation of the difference between the macro world (in which we live) and the micro world which sums up to the macro.
Hope this helps
Death occurs when this buildup of "errors" overwhelms the body's ability to repair itself.
At a fundamental level, this is just a manifestation of the difference between the macro world (in which we live) and the micro world which sums up to the macro.
Hope this helps
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Most people die because of a failure of organ systems, not because cellular reproduction slows down, or because of mutations, etc. People die of heart attacks, not because the cells of the heart die first, but because the arteries which supply oxygen to the cells in the heart muscle become clogged, generally because of a poor diet. Once clogged, the arteries can't supply the heart with oxygen, the cells of the heart start to die, then the heart itself fails, which causes all other organ systems to die, and soon, the person dies. People die of all kinds of cancers which begin in any of the body's numerous organs or systems and disrupt the functioning of the organs. Liver cancer causes failure of the liver, which then fails to cleanse the blood, which then carries excessive amounts of toxins throughout the body and poisons individual cells and other organs. Cancers, of course, start with individual cells that have begun to multiply out of control. This could be due to environmental toxins in food, water, and air, or due to radiation causing mutations within cells. It appears that some cancers occur because genes that should be "switched off" get switched on.
Cancers can occur in babies prior to birth, and at every age after birth. Cancers are not necessarily a function of time or age. Generally, as long as human cells get the oxygen and glucose they need and have any toxins they produce carried away, they will pretty much live and divide for longer than anyone has yet lived.
Cancers can occur in babies prior to birth, and at every age after birth. Cancers are not necessarily a function of time or age. Generally, as long as human cells get the oxygen and glucose they need and have any toxins they produce carried away, they will pretty much live and divide for longer than anyone has yet lived.