Wednesday word: senescence

[trellia-chan.livejournal.com]

senescence: [si-nes-uhns]
Noun:

1. (in biology) The state or process of aging, especially in humans; old age.
2. (in cell biology) Ceasing to divide by mitosis because of shortening of telomeres or excessive DNA damage.
3. (in gerontology) Old age; accumulated damage to macromolecules, cells, tissues and organs with the passage of time.
4. (in botany) Fruit senescence, leading to ripening of fruit.



Origin:  1650-60  From Latin: senescere: to grow old.

Related form:

adjective: senescent: growing old, aging.

Comments

[med_cat]

You are too funny ;)