The Science of Aging

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Why do we age, from a biological perspective?
Written and created by Mitchell Moffit (twitter @mitchellmoffit) and Gregory Brown (twitter @whalewatchmeplz).
TWITTER: / asapscience
FACEBOOK: / asapscience
Mitchell Moffit
www.mitchellmoffit.com
/ mitchellmoffit
/ mitchellmoffit
Gregory Brown
/ www
/ whalewatchmeplz
Further Reading --
Senesence:
www.nature.com/nature/journal/...
Aging Factors:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/...
Telomeres:
www.nature.com/nm/journal/v12/...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/62...
Telomeres and Cancer:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/...
Flatworms:
www.pnas.org/content/early/201...

[@angelicahennessey5785]

I wonder how many times a week you guys buy expo markers lol

[@Shreyamsha-sn5py]

Hello

[@lpoiuytrewqazxcvbnmk]

This makes so much sense, I thought I was part of a family of demigods because my great grandparents are currently 90 and 91, and I had so many plans with being immortal too ...

[@albert_the_cool8092]

might be rude to ask but like you commented 7 years ago, you still around?

[@left0vers]

@@albert_the_cool8092 !remind me 50 years lol

[@albert_the_cool8092]

@@left0vers lmao

[@yVexyy]

YO YOU STILL HERE UTS 2022

[@boomerang7895]

@TareBear fr??

[@saikumar802]

CHANGES SEEN DURING AGING ARE- 1.Increased free radicals*& decreased levels of antioxidants. 2.Decreased expression of IGF-1 gene* 3.Increased cross linking of collagen* 4.Increased somatic mutation due toDNA damages* 5.Telomere shortening*

[@Antwriterdragon]

LOL "why is my telemore so short..." 'you got that from your father" Come on.... We all saw that joke right??

[@natg4932]

🤣

[@GrgAProduction]

telomere*

[@JustinShaedo]

As a scientist that's studied and researched in this field, I just wanted to say what a great explanation that was! Respect :)

[@blmnkrnz]

Why do we smile?

[@FaumauNZ]

thats a good one

[@kevinlarson5688]

its called facial expressions

[@blmnkrnz]

Sorry but you didn't answer my question at all lol

[@tanvibellamkonda7154]

Yes, I want this one!

[@emilywilson696]

Your smart nerd

[@imablowyomind]

I dont wanna die amd lose my thinking forever.

[@jessicastevenson7292]

I would be interested in a video about ADHD inattentive, hyperactive and combination types. I have been diagnosed as a young adult (23 inattentive type.) and it has changed my life substantially for the better I'd love to know more and understand it better and your videos do such a great job!

[@merpderpyerp]

Why do stomachs growl or rumble when we're hungry..?

[@zach_melik]

Tori Farrell It's because our body needs more nutrients and energy.

[@lucyenglish5617]

Your stomach is always making sounds, but when it's empty, it's more audible. Think about a room full of people vs one person in a room. You're much more likely to hear that individual in the room by themselves rather than the packed room. It's essentially the same concept.

[@whydoineedaname3439]

@@lucyenglish5617 wow thanks. You sounds pretty smart

[@yeah9071]

telomeres is the one thing that should get the most funding for research, they hold the key to the most important technology in history.

[@erzcav4793]

I really love science. Been researching lately regarding this, all aspects that contribute to aging and to the peopel of longest lifespans. But, im currently studying engineering. So maybe n the latr years ill start my own lab.

[@Dazzlefisher]

Important yes, but also extremely dangerous. I don't think humans are ready to mess with longer lifespans, potentially immortality, you just know it would be a privileged billionaire technology.

[@ivoturi]

@@Dazzlefisher How so?

[@bronzesparks9795]

thank you guys, you've helped me with my coursework and made doing my coursework way more enjoyable

[@venrajful]

science. making the world better, yet when explained makes you fear for your life.

[@BinkieMcFartnuggets]

So basically, telomeres are the reason my grandma shat herself at Thanksgiving.

[@koji8123]

You, Sir, win free internets!

[@Nimbus3690]

***** lmao for real, fuck you jeremiah!

[@stevej1200]

***** Internet is not free my good sir. just as my comcast bill

[@PANTYEATR1]

holyyy shit Binkie LMAO!

[@DistortedV12]

...err loss of telomeres

[@galactose_fructosemonosacc343]

It is scary that one day you will no longer be conscious or alive the most scary part is that there is no way to stop it or come back

[@tedwalford7615]

Oh, we come back all right. The problem is, though, that we don't remember who we or anyone else are. So, yes; still scary.

[@galactose_fructosemonosacc343]

@@tedwalford7615 There's basically no difference, once you die "you" are gone.

[@jaredlyan7037]

@@tedwalford7615 past life regression can help that.

[@jaredlyan7037]

@@tedwalford7615 what’s scarier is to think one day they will figure out how to fix the issue with cell replication and people won’t age or die from natural causes. It goes against the purpose of life

[@CallMeSmash]

We watched this in my Gerontology class yesterday!! I was like ahhhh AsapScience!! Go KZbin!! This video is very helpful!

[@authenticmuffin]

I have a question! How come humans evolved into the superior life form? Why didn't another species that has been here longer evolved?

[@ziqiwei8152]

With Brains. We use to be mostly Vegan, then over time we started to scavage for meat, since tree's were starting to disappear a bit. After that, we started to hunt with simple tools like stones and sticks. But, the most major thing, is cooking. With cooking, we could more easily digest things, so our tough digestive track got shorter and needed less engergy, so our brains used that energy, so it became bigger.

[@LutherusPXCs]

Because evolution isn't a perfect process

[@ziqiwei8152]

***** I sincerely hope you're kidding.

[@ziqiwei8152]

***** I'd love to have a debate with you. Ok? :) Natural selection is basicly short-term evolution. Over time natural selection changes INTO evolution.

[@Skipston55]

***** Mutation isn't an imperfection, it is a deviation. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Whatever works best gets to live.

[@skatetheworld101]

AGH THE BACKGROUND MUSIC IS STARTING TO KILL ME!

[@vipulgautam7363]

I would say aging doesn't necessarily define length of our lives. A young person with certain ailment can die much earlier than a old person. As much as you can inherit the genes of your parents, the same way you can surpass them too by your choices in life, as far as aging goes.

[@friendlyneighbourhoodbridg1354]

Omg I love you guys! Keep making these videos!

[@Moxelle07]

can you please do a video on mitosis and meiosis. We're learning it at school and I can't get my head around it! Thanks x

[@EpicJones1]

what is being in your 'prime' as a young adult? Why/how/are we able to classify someone's prime age?

[@noraye2500]

your prime is basically, the best you will ever be physically

[@EpicJones1]

How and why are we able to classify a single person's prime when everyone's body fundamentally functions different?

[@hanrattyowen8216]

Make a video what happens when you die

[@VKDante]

You have just earned a subscriber sir. Great stuff.

[@09williamsr]

This is going to help with my assignment sooooo much!

[@rifat1418]

why is the sky blue?

[@PUR3xFAME]

***** No, the ocean is clear. The reason we see the ocean as blue is the reflection from the sky. The sky is blue due to light reflecting off the atmosphere and a bunch of other junk.

[@Darth_Yersinia]

***** Well it's basically because of quantum effects involving Rayleigh scattering combined with a lack of photon receptors in our retinae.

[@discotanzo]

'cause it wants to look like your beautiful eyes baby...

[@DBZHGWgamer]

the sky is blue because of refraction of light.

[@C02ver]

Because God loves the infantry

[@sixbones.infamy9107]

"EVERYBODY GETS A TELOMERE!!!"

[@metalaki5386]

this channel can be used for school! hope you guys really make it

[@nacejehart4849]

They should make more videos

[@nickfooz]

10 years in the future: Little Jimmy suffers from premature ageing disease. At 15, he has aged twice as fast and as a result is already bald, pot bellied and somehow unable to pay his mortgage even though he still live with his parents. Doctors now have developed a revolutionary technique to slow down the ageing rate of Jimmy to that of a normal healthy person. Doctor: "Congratulations Jimmy, now you won't die at 35, instead now you'll die at 70 like you should. Thanks to science!." Jimmy: "Only 70? But my grandparents are 95." Doctor: "Yes but your genes say you should die at 70" Jimmy:"How hard is it to make it longer than that?" Doctor: "Extremely easy. We just move this slider right here. See, it's at 70 now." Jimmy: "How far does it go?" Doctor: "Up to 100 million. It could go higher but we couldn't fit it on the screen." Jimmy: "Could you make it 80 at least?" Doctor: "No." Jimmy: "Can I do it?" Doctor: "No, only a professional has the required training to move the slider" Jimmy: "Can you move it to 75?" Doctor: "No"

[@djodysseus7851]

+Luis Jose Romero wow u write literally shit

[@jorees3288]

+DjOdysseus please don't insult people there are children on youtube

[@zaytime4156]

Tf going on in your head😂😂😂

[@Gino_Core]

I'm so scared of death

[@Shark-jy4kz]

Why you won't even know you died

[@Gino_Core]

I dont care about how it feels i just dont want to die at all and with old age you cant avoid it no matter what

[@TheDrbibbles]

Hi I know this comment was made a long time ago but I've also found myself with the terrifying thought of death and how it's inevitable and I feel kinda alone just wanted to say that you're not alone

[@Gino_Core]

Sophie Ekstrom Stay Strong :)

[@Luigi-rp6ur]

Gino Kemp Dying it's apart of life it's gonna happen to everyone and why wouldn't you want to die, would you really want to be here on earth in 2135 the 22nd century while all your siblings and etc, are dead let alone with the generation getting worse

[@dang2979]

Growth hormones also play a vital role in aging because it is essential for development as well as biological maintenance. Growth hormones induce cell proliferation, it tells the cells in your bodies to multiply, but too much GH can be a bad thing because cells can only divide so many times.

[@mesagetsbuckets]

I learned about this in my AP bio class!

[@ivannruiz8080]

Some say it's possible to get taller even after turning 18 by doing some activities like yoga to stretch the spinal cord to gain about 1-2 inches of height. It would be very interesting if you post something about getting taller. Great videos by the way!

[@LilXancheX]

Height is also genetic

[@joshlove7056]

how would living for a thousand years (or longer) effect your memory

[@keithkym1959]

nice video short and straight to the point

[@rhisnasrongphang5469]

This video helped me understand alot ....thankyou

[@OriruBastard]

Two problems that could be fixed with little bit of genetic tinkering. Can't wait till we get that far in science since I want to live as long as possible.

[@victoriamadison6884]

But you won't live forever you're still gonna die.

[@OriruBastard]

Victoria Madison Nope I'm not if we fix the genetic faulties in our system.

[@victoriamadison6884]

listen sir no human being is god only god lives forever or maybe you don't believe in him you might be an athiest. you are lack of knowledge and plain dumb

[@OriruBastard]

Victoria Madison Look... Lad. I don't believe in anything I don't see in first hand and you haven't ever seen this "god" thing either so stop being foolish kid with that story book nonsense already. It is just hypocritical to wish that we die just to live an eternal life after we die since it is just simply not going to happen. I sure as hell didn't come this far just to be held down by some silly superstitions when I can achieve a great things invented by human mind. Age of witch doctors is over already and now is time for the age of reality which will find cure to diseases and make our dreams come true. Nowadays we understand how rain works. Nowadays we understand moon and the sun. Nowadays we understand how our planet works. Nowadays aren't held back by our imaginative fears. You can choose to live your life in fear of nothing just like cave men did 200 thousand years ago or you may climb up to modern 'era and realize that world is what we make it to be and there is no third party finger from the heavens that will affect our daily lives. There is just us and we make the history.

[@user-vx3wc8yc9v]

@@OriruBastard I do not want to live forever, I simply want to look 20 till I die

[@nguyendan31]

I'm creeped

[@sparkside217]

So is dying from old age simply because you have so many cells not working? It seems like you would be able to see that though, like splotches on your skin that are dead or shortness of breath from your diaphragm muscles dying or something, is anything actually visibly not working before someone dies?

[@tedwalford7615]

So since my parents lived into their mid-90s, do I have a better chance of that too?

[@maximbraunbach3543]

Can we become immortal?

[@friedchicken1]

No, but we can become immoral

[@joshuaeisley4364]

Blood type what the difference

[@itsmebeyonder]

I hope someday we can learn to control our cell divuson

[@sogcezar]

Your video was very interesting!

[@RitchiGames]

AsapScience: We're program to die Me: *gets scared* Me*thinks*; god why! Relatives died Me cries in bathroom

[@shriniwasyadav9455]

Friends fan?

[@doedicurus]

No one asks, "why does a car age after you use it for 5, 10, 20 years?" So why should the explanations for humans be any different than a machine? To ask the question seems to imply a purpose, or an evolutionary program. And the video states this as such. But no one has proved that cellular regeneration can rid the body of advanced glycation endproducts, or Amyloid for example. Those are still components of aging.

[@mememabon4059]

Science is a work in progress my friend...

[@doedicurus]

LMMDN Of Narnia The question "why do we age?" has nothing to do with the science of aging. That's basic physics! No machine on earth is capable of protecting itself from all kinds of damage from it's use alone. Therefore, when a machine incurs damage from use, it ages. So to ask the question "why do we age?" is to ask "why is the human body NOT an exception to every machine we've come to know?" It just doesn't make any sense.

[@spookywizard4980]

+doedicurus dude category mistake much? we're not like any other machine in your everyday life. we freaking replace ourselves fully every 7 years. Our cells change. We change. We repair ourselves. A car never gets parts replaced. If it does, it lasts longer. You could replace parts of the car ad infinitum and have the car working forever. That's kind of how we work. Except eventually we can't keep replacing our parts and die.

[@doedicurus]

Spooky Wizard Wait, so you're saying what you got from my comment was the idea that I think humans operate exactly like every other machine!? If that's your takeaway, you're a doofus! The question I took issue with was "why do we age?" not "how do we age?" All machines that we know of have an expiration due to wear and tear. Your remark at the end even makes my point. Our bodily repair is not complete. So why we age is no different then asking why people aren't immune from all kinds of damage, which has never happened with any machine. So please explain to me wise Wizard why this is a category mistake? Show me the category of machines which are immortal, and I'll show you an apology.

[@mememabon4059]

doedicurus every time our cells multiplicity a part of our DNA called the Telomere wears down. When we lose all of it our body cells can't work properly anymore.

[@TheAzzyz]

i like how he neglected oxidative stress damage which is widely believed to be linked to certain disease and cancers [cancer, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, heart failure, myocardial infarction, fragile X syndrome, Sickle Cell Disease, lichen planus, vitiligo, autism, and chronic fatigue syndrome (wikipedia)] not to forget glycation, ...err chronological age also but that is a comparatively small factor.

[@pouyaejtemaeimehr9352]

This is very interesting. This explains a lot.

[@gracenewhouse4047]

Why does food have fat in it?

[@damishypedamischill7404]

Christy Newhouse funny

[@StonerFalls]

I don't want to die

[@NathanTAK]

Join the club. Applications here: eijaf.com

[@LutherusPXCs]

Well deal with it, when the time comes its going to be frightening realizing that your consciousness is slipping away, its probably going to be painfull as well >:D

[@NathanTAK]

***** Well, the Heat Death might still get us.

[@shoooooooooooooooooooooooooobi]

Good job!

[@haleyh6921]

thank you asap science!!

[@basedostroman592]

aging isn't natural or positive in any way, the real question is why can't people accept that something bad happens to them so they justify aging? we need a world wide program to end aging with about 20-50billion$ of budget/year edit - actually aging is positive since if people you don't like age you benefit, like with everything, but some people make those indirect benefits to be a justification which is just so horrible imho.

[@d.lawrence5670]

If aging isn't natural, then pretty much EVERY LIVING THING on the planet wouldn't be doing it...naturally, dummy

[@stephenmariconda5666]

Debra Lawrence Aging is natural but it sure as hell is not good. It literally is the slow deterioration of our bodies and minds that leads to disease, suffering, and death. No bueno, there must be investment in bringing aging under complete medical control through the maintenance approach (periodic repair of tissue, cell, and molecular damage periodically throughout life to keep damage levels low and prevent disease and death). More info here www.sens.org/research/introduction-to-sens-research

[@ivoturi]

agree man age is a curse that should be cured

[@courtneycalloway3563]

Make a video about acne, why we have it, how do we get rid of it and what a pimple actually is

[@Dyslexic-Artist-Theory-on-Time]

Could light photon oscillations of vibrations form the process of aging that we see and feel as the flow of ‘time’ a process of continuous energy exchange or continuous creation? With light being a wave over a period of time and a particle as time unfolds with each photon electron coupling. The electron is the most spherical object in the universe so this can form the low entropy for the increase in entropy that we have in the Second Law of Thermodynamics.

[@durghy]

Can you do a video on "Can thoughts change our reality"

[@ajd2393]

that is a good question...I'm going to have to look that up now lol

[@Mlbokako]

cool video. where did you get the music playing in the background from?

[@thetruegoldenknight]

HEY! Thanks for explaining the secret to immortality! Now to research how to implement this...Right after sleeping through the rest of the last school month I'll ever be forced to sit through.

[@someone8035]

This was the perfect video

[@pauldrock]

Hey ASAP SCIENCE, can you create a video demonstration about the space time and space travel? Thank you

[@jeremimi]

u have such a soothing voice

[@elvinsimon5008]

wowowowowow thanks for this info best info ever... in short... great job.

[@edef1244]

You will go far that way :) This path will lead you to success!

[@emrocks898]

ASAPscience, you are my heros

[@twakefield10]

Posted on my birthday. Mind=blown

[@LuwukaW]

So, if you put your brain in a robotic body to become an 'immortal' cyborg, what would happen with the brains aging? Would it eventually die as well? Or is it possible to live 'forever' that way, theoretically?

[@geerv8090]

Sorry for the first reply in 4 years... But it could be theoretically possible as long as telomeres can reproduce endlessly and your brain is always in a healthy state.

[@alibob1986]

I'm a little confused about the 50 figure for being able to replicate. Wouldn't that mean we reached that at a really young age? Or is it 50 times after the telomere has been removed? And does that mean we all have a pretty similar lifespan once that senescence has been reached, it just means the part before it varies between each person? thanks

[@stewartneal8810]

I'm terrified now

[@tylerwhite7133]

HEY ASAPSCIENCE!!!! Love you're videos but a quick question here... Doesn't telomerase regenerate your telomeres by adding random repeats to your DNA after is is copied? Telomerase is supposed to be there so we don't cleave/lose DNA that codes for genes after constantly cleaving our telomeres. Just wondering what you're thoughts were on that.

[@rithu4438]

That is so scarily cool OMG

[@1arsenalalex]

Could we ever life for ever like the "immortal jellyfish"?

[@vanshika123456789]

Do a video on dynamic cells, please.

[@annatasyaasheqah]

I love the handwriting

[@humanbeingnotbeinghuman2314]

asapscience is so enlightening and informational that i believe they (it,he,her/them) could do a lot of great things to help earth and human beings, even if theyre only suggestions. they should make videos on possibilities of time travel/how it would be possible, and other possibilities/how possible vids such as being immortal and maybe refurbishing ozone layers and cleaner resources and cloning and life on other planets and the void of space etc etc

[@mitchelletzkin1321]

Ahhh yeah! We should def hit up ERB of History!!

[@maplefang075]

Nice idea

[@aejlindvall]

While I was watching this I was in my mind searching for the word telomere, and I just found it seconds before he said it!

[@sharonstories8109]

some cells, like your skin, don't need added telomere length because they are completely replaced (unless they are cancerous). Your brain cells aren't replaced. The very complex science of metabolism tries to be efficient by caring for the things you really use. Older runners have longer telomeres than sedentary people (and even grow telomere length). Maybe because running places so many demands on the body, more repairs are made using many mechanisms.

[@IrOnPUdDiNg385]

@Ohh Zeek - Stars are different colors primarily due to both surface temperature and the Doppler Effect. The surface temperature dictates what color the 'flame' of the star is with blue being the hottest and red being the coolest. In addition, the Doppler Effect 'tints' objects (not just stars) blue or red depending on whether they are moving towards or away from us respectively. Seeing as how we orbit the sun, this latter effect would not matter as much. With red being the coolest star, we would most likely die due to being too cold rather than to radiation exposure.

[@Awesomeguy102620]

Is it a coincidence i just saw an ad that says "Life is Short" next to the video

[@ZeusFluxxYAkaTw1nk1e]

I just listen in class, and i find this interesting so i just want to know important stuff, so i know a lot what other people must think is needless knowledge. I am only 16 so it is just how much u wanna go for it, as to know stuff like this! But i must say be careful how u do this, because your peers might not see it as a good thing to be eager to get wise. So what i did was listen at my teacher, looked up words i didn't understand or used my spare-time reading it for fun. :)

[@maxsthemagnificent8827]

Asapscience, your awesome

[@Blopartyhut]

1:24 Cancer cells, if not controlled in time, can mutate/evolve to be immune to aging.

[@TheMadsteven686]

I'll be happy to be a test subject!!!!!

[@ShiftingDrifter]

Nice hearing why I'll die to happy music.

[@gamergodyt4167]

I want to ask the question... How did the periodic table of elements get their names?

[@azservices]

This is exactly what I talk about in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpK5lmCLbreKq80

[@DarsheanRhett]

You are AMAZINGLY educated. :)

[@justsomeawesomedude2608]

I don't care if I die I just don't wanna get old.

[@Neutralmoonchild]

You can only make a copy of a copy so many times before the instructions get blurry...

[@sooooooooDark]

does longer telomeres not only mean longer possible life but also higher risk of cancer?

[@laug1576]

Awesome

[@austinmurphy3545]

you guys should do a video about drifting and cars

[@luckybani3416]

what is the difference between growth and aging

[@ZeusFluxxYAkaTw1nk1e]

Thank u! Ask me a question anytime and i will try answering it! :)

[@adityasankar5943]

if you are reading this i would like to know about a thing i read that suppose if we travel at speed of light then our time will be slow compared to others so will this effect our age as you said about the internal clock

[@henryhuggins7738]

Life is like a time bomb it keep ticking until it blows.

[@Layarion]

was this handdrawn or is this a whiteboard software i can download?

[@cecegitonga8926]

Can you be my science teacher? Your voice is really nice.