• Question: What are the processes of ageing?

    Asked by einstein1011 to Laura, Nicola, Norman, Sandra, Thanasis on 11 Mar 2013. This question was also asked by thechickenflys21.
    • Photo: Laura Soul

      Laura Soul answered on 11 Mar 2013:

      I’m not an expert on this, I’m sure Norman will be able to tell you in more detail but I have learnt a bit about ageing processes for my job, partly becasue some scientists think that ageing processes evolve. A lot of the processes of ageing are things that affect your cells, for example the part of your cell that generates the chemical energy that it uses to live (called a mitochondrion) can stop working. Another process of ageing is that extra links form between your cells, this is what causes things like your skin to get less stretchy then go all wrinkly. It is normal for cells to get a bit damaged sometimes but as we get older this damaged material builds up inside and outside of cells and stops them from working properly. Also as we age our cells die faster and are not replaced as quickly as when we are younger.

      Some scientists think that soon we will be able to combat all of these processes and then we won’t have to age at all and could live forever. Other scientists think that this idea is completely crazy! One scientist who thinks humans could live forever is Aubrey de Grey, another who completely disagrees with him is Professor Colin Blakemore who is a neuroscientist. Maybe you could look these two people up online to find out more about them and then make up your own mind!

    • Photo: Sandra Phinbow

      Sandra Phinbow answered on 11 Mar 2013:

      I really don’t know. I only know how aging affects a woman’s cervix and uterus! Throughout a woman’s life her body produces hormones oestrogen and progesterone and these influence her monthly cycle. The cervix moves downwards into a new position when she becomes sexually mature – ie puberty. Then moves upwards again when she is no longer able to have periods – we call this post menopausal. This process is called eversion.

    • Photo: Nicola Wardrop

      Nicola Wardrop answered on 11 Mar 2013:

      I’m not really sure about this one – I don’t look at ageing at all as part of my work.

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