Shay-Ann Charlton, Orlyah Bryan, Melissa McLean, Kemara Jaskson, Jannell Lawes

Biological Theories of Aging

Biological Theory of Aging
Defined as the normal process of changes over time in the body
and organ systems which eventually affect body functions but does
not definitely end in disease/death. The decline in organ capacity and
our immune system make us more vulnerable to illness, such as
dementia, arthritis, and heart attacks that increase in incidence with
age. Two types of these theories include:
1. Wear and Tear Theory
2. Autoimmune Theory
Wear and Tear Theory
Wear and Tear Theory

● Proposed by German biologist, Dr. August Wiesmann, in

1882.
● Also called simple deterioration theory or fundamental
limitation theory
● It states that aging results from a gradual deterioration of the
cells and tissues of the body via wear and tear, oxidative
stress, exposure to radiation, toxins, or other deteriorative
processes.
Wear and Tear Theory

● The wear-and-tear theory of aging asserts that the effects of

aging are caused by progressive damage to cells and body
systems over time.
● Essentially, human bodies "wear out" due to use. Once they
wear out, they can no longer function correctly.
Basic Tenets of Wear-and-Tear Theory

The wear-and-tear theory basically states that bodies wear out

after time. This theory can easily make sense when considering
inanimate objects, from cars to clothes, that wear out and
become less functional with time.
Causes of Wear-and-Tear Damage
A wide range of internal and external factors can damage body
systems.
● Exposure to radiation, toxins, and ultraviolet light can damage
genes.
● The effects of the body's own functioning can also cause damage.
When the body metabolizes oxygen, free radicals are produced that
can cause damage to cells and tissues. Also some cellular systems
that do not replace themselves throughout life, like nerve cells of
the brain and these cells are lost and function eventually will be
lost.
 Under more observation, there
Evidence For and Against are some processes that support
wear-and-tear as a factor in
aging, however several other
findings question this process.
There is evidence both for and
against this theory.
Evidence For and Against
Evidence Against
Evidence For
● Cells are well-equipped to
● Matches common
repair damage.
perceptions of aging ● Humans and other
● Fits law of entropy
organisms grow stronger
● Many bodily processes
from youth to maturity.
decline with aging. ● Organisms vary widely in
lifespan rather than all
following the same pattern.
Supporting Evidence
Wear-and-tear theory of aging fits most closely with a perceived
sense of aging.
On a larger level, this theory fits closely with one of the fundamental
laws of chemistry and physics called entropy which states that all
systems tend toward a state of increased entropy or progressive
disorganization.
Also there are structural changes with age in human skin and bones.
There are a number of functions which decline with age on a cellular
level. Even with a good diet, cells can decreased it ability to absorb
nutrients with age
Contrary Evidence
Evidence against the wear-and-tear theory is:
● The body’s ability to repair the damage. DNA is equipped with DNA-repair genes
(like tumor suppressor genes) which work to repair genetic damage.
● Aging process can be partially/completely reversed by changing the
microenvironment of cells/ specific hormonal factors. However, not all damage can
be repaired fully
● An organism throughout their growth phase become stronger and stronger. Instead of
starting at their peak of performance, like a car fresh off from the dealership or a new
computer, living organisms often start life fragile and build strength and resilience
with age. They are able to repair and replace most broken parts themselves.
● Lastly, there are some circumstances in which wear-and-tear actually extends life
expectancy. But this argument comes about when looking at the biochemical nature
of the body with questions like why do lifespans vary so much between different
species of animals? Why do some whales live almost twice as long as humans?
 In summary, the wear-and-tear theory
seems like a natural phenomena and makes
a lot of sense through observation however
Summary of Wear and Tear it is clear that there are other things going
Theory on in the body that cannot be explained by
this theory.
Autoimmune Theory
The Autoimmune Theory
● The autoimmune theory of aging was
introduced by Roy L. Walford in 1969.
● The theorist’s asserts as humans age the
immune system tends to lose efficiency and
malfunctions for example: evidenced by
autoimmunity (attacking one’s own immune
system) and a decreased ability to respond to
infection and other immune challenges.
● The immune system is divided into two
components: Innate immunity and
Adaptive/protective immunity.
 ● This is the body’s first line of
defense thus, it is unspecific
and general to potential
disease‐causing agents.
Innate Immunity ● This is the immunity one is
born with.
Examples of Innate Immunity
● Cough reflex
● Enzymes in tears and skin oils
● Mucus, which traps bacteria and small particles
● Skin
● Stomach acid
● Fever
Adaptive/ Protective theory
● This immune response is specific to the pathogen as the body
recognises it from a previous exposure.
● Once the body is exposed to an antigen, antibodies will be
produced that specifically target that antigen. This antibodies
are what causes the protective response
● Adaptive immune responses are carried out by white blood
cells (lymphocytes)
The aging Immune system
● A person's longevity is directly impacted by the immune system.
● The immune system not only defends from bacteria and viruses, but it
also aids in the detection and elimination of cancer cells and poisons.
● The likelihood that these substances harming the body grows as one
ages.
● The immune system malfunction as one age accounts for some of the
characteristics of the aging processes.
● A wide range of chronic and fatal disorders, including cancer and
Alzheimer's disease, are thought to be influenced by chronic
inflammation.
The effects of Aging on the Immune System

● As people age the immune system undergoes cellular changes. Critical

cells in the immune system decrease in number and become less
functional.
The effects of aging on the Immune system

● Immunosenescence: Age related functional diminution of the immune system.

● Lower rate of T-lymphocyte (‘killer cells”) proliferation in response to a
stimulus & therefore a decrease in the body’s defence against foreign
pathogens
● Change include a decrease in humoral immune response, often predisposing
older adults to:
● Decrease resistance to a tumor cell cell challenge and the development of
cancer
● Decreased ability to initiate the immune process and mobilize defenses in
aggressively attacking pathogens
The effects of
Aging on the
body
References
Diggs, J. (2023). Autoimmune theory of aging. SpringerLink.
https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-0-387-33754-8_4
6#:~:text=Walford%20in%201969%2C%20asserts%20that,infection%20an
d%20other%20immune%20challenges
.
Stibich, M. (2023, May 21). How your immune system might be at the heart
of how you age. Verywell Health.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/immunological-theory-of-aging-2224224.
Stibich, M. (2022, September 2). The Wear-and-Tear Theory of Aging (J.
Sweigard, Ed.). VeryWellHealth; Dotdash Media, Inc.
References
YouTube Links:
1. The Science of Aging:
https://youtu.be/BkcXbx5rSzw?si=8lv74KBNMrctl-Hi
2. This is what happens when you have an autoimmune disease:
https://youtu.be/k1ZJ7lJ863M?si=mc_cwIQVrtpiB1Xd.
3. A Walk Through Autoimmunity:
https://youtu.be/yZ6wWuAQnME?si=OskDAWQlSMQSYGU3
4. How Age Influences Your Immune System:
https://youtu.be/hgDSa8F4CYU?si=Y6BRaUaKHBIonNst