The search for longevity is one of the greatest challenges of modern science. The oldest confirmed human being was Jeanne Calment, who lived 122 years and 164 days, significantly above the global life expectancy of 73.4 years.
In nature, however, there are organisms that surpass this mark and live for more than a thousand years.
Today, we’ll explore why aging is common among living things and which creatures are biologically immortal, as well as discussing whether immortality is truly a positive thing.
Why do we age?
Understanding the reasons for human aging – Image: Reproduction
Aging is a complex process that, in a simplified way, boils down to the degradation of cells.
Each of them can replicate between 40 and 60 times before their telomeres, a kind of protective cap at the ends of our chromosomes, become too short.
When this happens, the cell can no longer replicate efficiently and enters a state of ‘senescence’ (aging of the cell) or death.
Such a cellular process is one of the reasons why humans and other animals have a limited lifespan.
Immortal creatures
While most living things follow a cycle of birth, growth, aging and death, there are certain species that defy this rule.
This is the case with some types of trees, such as Pine Bristleconewhich has lived for more than 5 thousand years, and the ancient landscape of Jurupa, an oak colony that has been alive for about 13 thousand years.
The zooplankton Turritopsis nutriculabetter known as the ‘immortal jellyfish’, is capable of reversing its aging process, returning to the polyp state after reaching maturity.
The search for immortality
Despite its apparently irresistible attraction, immortality would raise a series of ethical, social and philosophical questions.
In fact, knowledge about the end is one of the factors that makes human life truly unique. Finitude allows us to appreciate the moment and strive to make each day count.
In short, while the quest for longevity continues to be a focus of modern science, it is crucial to recognize that aging and death are intrinsic parts of life.
Instead of looking for the immortalitymaybe we should focus on living the best life we can for the time we have.
