Encyclopedia of Science | Aging and Death

• Effects of aging
• Theories on aging
• Words to Know
• Diseases associated with aging
• Death

Aging is a series of biological changes that follow a natural progression from birth through maturity to old age and death. For most people, advancing age is characterized by graying or thinning hair, loss of height, wrinkling of the skin, and decreased muscular strength. Still, an active lifestyle, including both exercise and sound nutrition, can contribute greatly to achieving a long and productive life. Genetics (inherited physical characteristics) also appears to play a role in the process of aging and death. People whose parents or grandparents live to old age seem to have a better chance of living long lives themselves.

Great strides have been...