As individuals age, a variety of systems begin the decline to the point where an individual’s functioning is compromised. Identify and discuss two factors that have a role in factors leading to the compromised situation.
Your Discussion must be at least 250 words in length, detailing your thoughts and position using 2 references from the readings for support. Also, be sure to pose 1-2 well thought out questions from which your colleagues can formulate a response or generate further discussion. Be sure to cite any references using APA format.
Introduction
Aging is a natural process that everyone experiences throughout our lives. Various biological processes are decreasing gradually, and our physical functions will be impaired little by little. I will identify and discuss two factors that have a role in factors leading to the compromised situation in this discussion forum.
Normal cells double their chromosomes during cell division and can evenly distribute them as the cytoplasm divides, resulting in 46 chromosomes per cell. Accurate replication and stable maintenance of genomic DNA are essential for normal cell division and proliferation. In my opinion, all aging phenomenon results from normal DNA replication and cell proliferation failure. Therefore, determining the cause of senescence requires determining what disrupted normal DNA replication and cell proliferation.
1. Chromosomal instability caused by oxidative stress
According to the textbook, "Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause permanent damage to cellular lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acid" those damages to cellular components are called oxidative stress (OpenStax, 2018, chap.3). These oxidative stresses are caused by natural biological processes we perform every day, such as breathing, digesting and metabolizing food, and converting it into energy. So the older we get, the more Oxidative stress accumulates in our body. Some studies proved that "Chronic oxidative stress leads to a high incidence of chromosomal instability" (Limoli & Giedzinski, 2003, para.1).
Chromosomal instability (CIN) refers to a "genomic imbalance that occurs when a cell has an abnormal number of chromosomes," and it causes DNA typos (National Cancer Institute, n.d., para.1). Many cancer cells exhibit chromosomal instability at various levels, and chromosomal instability directly triggers carcinogenesis or accelerates the progress of carcinogenesis.
2. Mitochondrial dysfunction caused by lack of p53 protein
Chromosome damage is known to increase as we age. However, the damage-preventing function called "telomeres" usually prevents chromosomal damage, and the p53 protein is central to this function, according to Daniel P. Kelly (2011). Studies have shown that p53 protein is involved in mitochondrial function and that deficiency of p53 protein leads to decreased mitochondrial function and various cancers (Kelly, 2011).
As described in textbook 3.2, an important role of mitochondria is the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), an energy source (OpenStax, 2018). Cells throughout the body constantly depend on ATP, and mitochondrial dysfunction threatens our lives.
By exploring the causes one by one like this, I believe that we can gradually tackle the significant challenge of aging, which humans have been unable to overcome until now. Those new findings encouraged me to learn more about our health.
Conclusion
These oxidative stresses are caused by natural biological processes such as breathing, digesting and metabolizing food, and converting it into energy. Those "chronic oxidative stress leads to a high incidence of chromosomal instability" and causes DNA typos (Limoli & Giedzinski, 2003, para.1). Additionally, the loss of the p53 protein leads to thought to cause mitochondrial dysfunction and consequent aging in humans. These studies attempt to answer why we are not free from aging and death, find the causes of various diseases and cures, and extend our healthy life expectancy.
Thank you for reading, guys. Have a nice day!!! (502 words)
References
Kelly, D. P. (2011). Ageing theories unified. Nature News. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/nature09896
Limoli, C. L., & Giedzinski, E. (2003). Induction of chromosomal instability by chronic oxidative stress. Neoplasia (New York, N.Y.), 5(4), 339–346. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/S1476-5586(03)80027-1
National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). chromosomal instability. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/genetics-dictionary/def/chromosomal-instability
OpenStax. (2018). Anatomy & physiology. Houston, TX: Rice University. Retrieved from https://cnx.org/contents/FPtK1zmh@12.6:fEI3C8Ot@16/Preface.
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