[Free radical-related processes of mitochondrial aging]

Mitochondria are particularly susceptible cellular organelles to damage caused by free oxygen radicals. The authors explain certain processes taking place during ageing and leading to death in relation to mitochondrial ageing: an inverse correlation between the value of the basal metabolism rate and life span, the effect of antioxidant addition to the diet on body mass and length of life, the exponential type of the mortality curve as a function of age, the favourable effect of limited calorie content of the diet on life span and development of degenerative diseases.