The biology and physiology of aging

Abstract

Aging is inevitable, and as the percentage of elderly in the population increases it becomes more important to understand physiological mechanisms associated with the normal aging process so the quality of life can be sustained. Maintaining physiological functions or 'health' in aging population will help to reduce the burden on the medical systems. In this work, we briefly consider, in the light of up-to-date scientific data and hypotheses, some key questions on the biology and physiology of aging: what is it and why does it happen. Prospects for delaying and impeding the aging process are disputed as well.

Starenje je neizbežno i kako zastupljenost starih osoba u populaciji raste, razumevanje fizioloških mehanizama uključenih u proces normalnog starenja ima sve veći značaj u cilju održavanja kvaliteta života u starosti. Takođe, očuvanje fizioloških funkcija ili 'zdravlja' starih ljudi smanjiće pritisak na zdravstvene sisteme i troškove. U ovom radu, u svetlu najnovijih naučnih podataka i hipoteza, sažeto se razmatraju neka ključna pitanja u vezi biologije i fiziologije starenja: šta je starenje i zašto se ono događa, kao i mogućnosti odlaganja i usporavanja starenja.