Autophagy
The cellular recycling process that degrades and recycles damaged components. A key mechanism in cellular quality control.
Biological Age
The estimated physiological age of an organism based on biomarkers, as distinct from chronological age.
Cellular Senescence
A stable cell-cycle arrest state triggered by stress or damage, often accompanied by the SASP.
DNA Damage
Alterations to the DNA sequence or structure that can lead to mutations, genomic instability, or cellular dysfunction.
Epigenetics
Heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the DNA sequence, including DNA methylation and histone modification.
Hayflick Limit
The maximum number of times a normal human cell population will divide before entering senescence, approximately 40–60 divisions.
Inflammaging
Chronic, low-grade inflammation that develops with advanced age and is associated with multiple age-related diseases.
Mitochondria
Organelles responsible for cellular energy production through oxidative phosphorylation. Central to metabolic aging.
NAD+
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme central to metabolism, DNA repair, and sirtuin activity. Declines with age.
Telomerase
The ribonucleoprotein enzyme that adds telomeric repeat sequences to chromosome ends, counteracting shortening.
Telomeres
Repetitive nucleotide sequences at chromosome ends that protect coding DNA from degradation during replication.