Scientists have solved the mystery of human aging

Although the laws of biology are quite rare, they define universal principles and structural foundations that are common. They are not as rigid as the laws of mathematics or physics, but these biological norms contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex mechanisms that affect living organisms.

Many of the examples identified by scientists seem to be related to conservation of resources and energy, or, more simply, the pursuit of biological equilibrium. However, recently, a molecular biologist from the University of Southern California, John Tower, proposed a new general biological law that may answer the question of the mechanisms of aging, Science Alert notes.

Established in 1877, Allen's rule is a classic example of a biological law. It states that in cooler climates, warm-blooded creatures tend to develop more massive limbs with less surface area to retain heat, while in warmer conditions, the opposite adaptation is observed. However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as in the case of some species of frogs and short-legged dogs.

Another case of biological law is the unique structure of bee hives with their hexagonal cells. According to Tower's theory, fractal structures, such as logarithmic spirals, are the optimal way to expand a structure without changing its shape or damaging the existing structure.

However, the modern theory of "selectively advantageous instability" proposed by the molecular biologist raises doubts about the traditional tendency to conserve resources in biological systems. Tower believes that a certain level of instability is vital, despite the loss of resources, because it contributes to other benefits.

According to him, this instability only increases the complexity of the system, which can have potential benefits, including the ability to adapt and evolve at all levels, from the molecular to the population. For example, even simple cells contain enzymes that regularly break down and replace proteins and RNA, demonstrating the necessity of instability for life.

Instability leads to the loss of energy and resources and the accumulation of genetic mutations, which can be both negative and positive. The scientist points out that this is one of the ways to biological aging.

At the same time, he recognizes that without instability, life could not evolve, adapt, and thrive in changing conditions. Tower argues that life on Earth exists in a balance between stability and instability, forcing all living organisms to seek compromises.

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