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/sci/ - Science & Math

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1608308 No.1608308 [Reply] [Original]

Why do organisms get old and die?

>> No.1608317

Degradation of chromosome length over time.

>> No.1608320

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telomerase

>> No.1608324

what the above said, also we're programmed to do so.

>> No.1608325

wear and tear

cell degeration

>> No.1608327

timed obsolescence

GO FIGURE

there is no anthropomorphic god, or godhead, but there does seem to be some super-process directing certain types of order and design

>> No.1608328
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1608328

Apoptosis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apoptosis

pic related: "In arcadia ego"

>> No.1608335

In addition to the above, most organisms' bodies aren't made to last. Just like a mechanical switch wears down with use, the body uses processes that deal (tiny but significant) damage to its surroundings, destroying it in the long term.

>> No.1608351

TELOMERES MOTHERFUCKER
DO YOU KNOW DEM

>> No.1608357

>>1608335
somewhat convincing, but not totally convincing, because some animals of about the same complexity level live much much longer than other animals

dogs and tortoises for example

>> No.1608367

why do sequoia redwoods live for thousands of years

>> No.1608391
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1608391

>>1608308
>Why do organisms get old and die?

There's 1 (at least) known exception:
Turritopsis nutricula

>> No.1608462

>>1608357
>implying dogs aren't man made
>implying dogs live a surprisingly long life time compared to some animals

>> No.1608466

Because their role in the ecosystem is temporary by design.

>> No.1608481
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1608481

They don't.

>> No.1608485

Well, the beings with the shortest lifespans are the most adaptable.

>> No.1608509

>>1608485
Not true.
The beings that reproduce the fastest are the most adaptable. It is not necessary to have a short lifespan to be adaptable, only need to reproduce quickly. It just so happens that most things that reproduce quickly tend to have short lifespan. Correlation =/= causation.

>> No.1608530

>>1608509
Well, duh, if their max. age is small, then their maturity age will be met faster.

>> No.1608536
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1608536

>>1608462
>implying design

>> No.1608542

>>1608320
>>1608317

These.
/Thread.

>> No.1608603

>>1608462
i think poster meant dog (short lives) and tortoises (long lives)