4 ms·
Aren't cells constantly being replaced, including their DNA?
by anamexis 5y ago
Aren't cells constantly being replaced, including their DNA?
- KineticLensman 5y agoCells are self-replacing under the control of their own DNA; not pumped out of a factory. Slowly accumulating errors in the DNA can compromise the ability of cells to make good copies of themselves, potentially leading to cancer calls instead.
- anamexis 5y agoRight, that makes sense, but that's not really relevant to what I assume is the half life of a specific strand of DNA, right?
- egberts1 5y agoHalf-life of 542 assumes to mean without an active mitochondria engine to keep its strand largely intact. Error rate during active lifespan is real. Gamma ray probably is the largest contributor of active (or even inactive) DNA being disturbed.
- czbond 5y agoMaybe intermittent fasting autophagy can be the key to elongating life through that continual repair.