senescence
Biology's gradual deterioration
Senescence is the process of aging or growing old—the gradual deterioration that comes with advancing years.
In biology, it refers specifically to the decline in cellular function over time: cellular senescence, the senescence of leaves in autumn.
The term appears in scientific and medical contexts more than everyday speech.
The study examined senescence in fruit flies to understand human aging.
Growing older over time
- gerontologyScientific study of senescence
- cellularComposed of small units
- telomeresProtective chromosome termini
- apoptosisProgrammed cell death
autophagy · mitosis · programmed · biomarkers · longevity · lifespan · mortality · deterioration
Advanced in age
- old-ageAdvanced years of life
- geriatricsMedicine for the elderly
- wrinklesSurface lines from folding
- osteoporosisDisease weakening skeletal structure
presbyopia · menopause · frailty · retirement · pensioner · centenarian · octogenarian · nonagenarian
Light after sunset
- declineDecrease or refuse
- waningGradually decreasing in intensity
- fadingGradual loss of intensity
- duskDimming after sundown
sunset · autumn · winter · decay · obsolescence · deterioration · erosion · diminishing
Plant part separation
- chlorophyllLight-harvesting plant pigment
- yellowingBecoming pale gold-brown
- dormancySuspended biological activity
- deciduousSheds foliage seasonally
autumn · foliage · withering · desiccation · wilting · browning · fruiting · ripening
Prejudice targeting older people
- gerontocracyGovernment by the oldest
- demographicsStatistical population characteristics
- pensionRetiree's ongoing benefit
- intergenerationalInvolving multiple age groups
wisdom · experience · veneration · elders · seniority
aging
Growing older over time
- gerontologyScientific study of senescence
- cellularComposed of small units
- telomeresProtective chromosome termini
apoptosis · autophagy · mitosis · programmed · biomarkers · longevity · lifespan · mortality · deterioration · decline
elderly
Advanced in age
- old-ageAdvanced years of life
- geriatricsMedicine for the elderly
- wrinklesSurface lines from folding
osteoporosis · presbyopia · menopause · frailty · retirement · pensioner · centenarian · octogenarian · nonagenarian · decrepitude
twilight
Light after sunset
dusk · sunset · autumn · winter · decay · obsolescence · deterioration · erosion · diminishing · ebbing
abscission
Plant part separation
- chlorophyllLight-harvesting plant pigment
- yellowingBecoming pale gold-brown
- dormancySuspended biological activity
deciduous · autumn · foliage · withering · desiccation · wilting · browning · fruiting · ripening · harvest
ageism
Prejudice targeting older people
- gerontocracyGovernment by the oldest
- demographicsStatistical population characteristics
- pensionRetiree's ongoing benefit
intergenerational · wisdom · experience · veneration · elders · seniority
- developmentgrowth, progress, advancement, expansion, improvement
- growthgrowth, grow, growing, growth rate, increase
- agingaging process, aging body, biological age, aging workforce, aging parents
- decayrot, decay rate, wilt, crumble, decomposition
- Deteriorationdecay, rot, degradation, deterioration, corrosion
- development stagesearly stage, late stage, infancy, childhood, alpha
senescenceyouth
State of being immature
juvenescence · infancy · adolescence · childhood · immaturity
senescencevitality
Capacity for spirited existence
vigor · robustness · youthfulness · strength · flourishing
senescencegrowth
Increase in size
proliferation · regeneration · cell division · development · mitosis