Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Aging01:26

Aging

96
Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
96
The Evidence for Evolution02:55

The Evidence for Evolution

43.2K
Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.
43.2K
Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?02:05

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

7.2K
The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
In contrast, regions which code...
7.2K
The Effect of Aging on Tissues01:19

The Effect of Aging on Tissues

2.2K
Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
2.2K
Mitochondria01:37

Mitochondria

14.0K
Mitochondria are eukaryotic cellular organelles that are known to produce energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Besides their primary function, mitochondria are involved in various cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, signaling, metabolism, and senescence. Age-related changes cause a decline in mitochondrial quality and integrity due to increased mitochondrial mutations and oxidative damage. Thus, aging can severely impact mitochondrial functions,...
14.0K
Replicative Cell Senescence02:15

Replicative Cell Senescence

3.7K
Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds...
3.7K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Protein yogurt and whey protein produce comparable muscle gains, but divergent microbiome shifts during strength training in older adults.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

Chronic kidney disease induces a distinct lipidomic signature and accelerates atherosclerosis progression in a novel minipig model.

Laboratory animal research·2026
Same author

Correction: The cytotoxicity of gomesin peptides is mediated by the glycosphingolipid pathway and lipid-cholesterol interactions.

Cell death discovery·2026
Same author

Aberrant cellular communities underlying disease heterogeneity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Nature genetics·2026
Same author

Multilayer metabolomic integration reveals bioenergetic disruption in Long COVID.

Journal of translational medicine·2026
Same author

HDR Merging of RAW Exposure Series for All-Sky Cameras: A Comparative Study for Circumsolar Radiometry.

Journal of imaging·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 4, 2025

Author Spotlight: Automated Lifespan Monitoring – Discovering Aging Dynamics with the Lifespan Machine
08:53

Author Spotlight: Automated Lifespan Monitoring – Discovering Aging Dynamics with the Lifespan Machine

Published on: January 26, 2024

1.1K

Programmed versus non-programmed evolution of aging. What is the evidence?

Reinald Pamplona1, Mariona Jové1, José Gómez2

  • 1Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Lleida (UdL), Lleida Biomedical Research Institute (IRBLleida), E25198 Lleida, Spain.

Experimental Gerontology
|April 2, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Evolutionary theories of aging explore programmed aging (PA) versus non-programmed aging (non-PA). Most evidence supports programmed aging as the primary driver of longevity, with non-PA mechanisms potentially contributing.

Keywords:
Animal longevityEvolutionMetabolic phenotypesPro-longevity dietary interventionsRate of agingSignalling pathways

More Related Videos

A Suppressor Screen for the Characterization of Genetic Links Regulating Chronological Lifespan in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
10:39

A Suppressor Screen for the Characterization of Genetic Links Regulating Chronological Lifespan in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Published on: September 17, 2020

6.3K
Combining Magnetic Sorting of Mother Cells and Fluctuation Tests to Analyze Genome Instability During Mitotic Cell Aging in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
11:08

Combining Magnetic Sorting of Mother Cells and Fluctuation Tests to Analyze Genome Instability During Mitotic Cell Aging in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Published on: October 16, 2014

12.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 4, 2025

Author Spotlight: Automated Lifespan Monitoring – Discovering Aging Dynamics with the Lifespan Machine
08:53

Author Spotlight: Automated Lifespan Monitoring – Discovering Aging Dynamics with the Lifespan Machine

Published on: January 26, 2024

1.1K
A Suppressor Screen for the Characterization of Genetic Links Regulating Chronological Lifespan in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
10:39

A Suppressor Screen for the Characterization of Genetic Links Regulating Chronological Lifespan in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Published on: September 17, 2020

6.3K
Combining Magnetic Sorting of Mother Cells and Fluctuation Tests to Analyze Genome Instability During Mitotic Cell Aging in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
11:08

Combining Magnetic Sorting of Mother Cells and Fluctuation Tests to Analyze Genome Instability During Mitotic Cell Aging in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Published on: October 16, 2014

12.6K

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Gerontology
  • Molecular mechanisms of aging

Background:

  • The evolutionary basis and molecular mechanisms determining lifespan remain largely unknown.
  • Diverse theories, including programmed aging (PA) and non-programmed aging (non-PA), attempt to explain the wide range of longevities across species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze observational and experimental data to evaluate the validity of programmed aging (PA) and non-programmed aging (non-PA) evolutionary theories.
  • To synthesize recent findings concerning the biological traits and molecular mechanisms underlying longevity determination.

Main Methods:

  • Review and analysis of extensive observational and experimental data from both field and laboratory studies.
  • Examination of accumulated reasoning and evidence compatible and incompatible with PA and non-PA theories.

Main Results:

  • The majority of analyzed data support the programmed aging (PA) theory.
  • Evidence suggests a potential role for non-programmed aging (non-PA) mechanisms, such as antagonist pleiotropy, in specific cases.

Conclusions:

  • The findings strongly favor programmed aging as the dominant evolutionary strategy for longevity.
  • Non-programmed aging mechanisms may act as secondary contributors to lifespan determination in certain contexts.