[__ Science __ ] What Makes Some Animals Live So Long?

[HeIsRisen2018]

It's sort of funny how something like a mouse can only live for one or two years while a parrot or a turtle can outlive humans. So does anybody know why that is?

 

[KevinK]

In biology, it's called the "Chuck Norris Effect". It's actually Chuck that decides who lives, and how long.

Word is, Chuck likes turtles.

 

[Barbarian]

Depends on things called telomeres. These are structures at the ends of DNA strands, protecting them from degradation. Each division of a cell shortens telomeres. At some point, the DNA begins to degrade and aging takes place. Ultimately, the organism dies.

So some species have longer or hardier telomeres than others. Low metabolic rates tend to preserve telomeres, because there are fewer cell divisions.

 

[HeIsRisen2018]

Depends on things called telomeres. These are structures at the ends of DNA strands, protecting them from degradation. Each division of a cell shortens telomeres. At some point, the DNA begins to degrade and aging takes place. Ultimately, the organism dies.

So some species have longer or hardier telomeres than others. Low metabolic rates tend to preserve telomeres, because there are fewer cell divisions.

I guess that makes sense,... sort of anyway.

 

[Nathan12]

So does anybody know why that is?

Sure. Stress kills. Turtles and parrots are stress-free. Take a lesson from them.

 

[Barbarian]

Sure. Stress kills. Turtles and parrots are stress-free. Take a lesson from them.