Abstract
Genes may be regarded in at least two quite distinct ways in relation to processes of aging. They are units of genetic transmission from parent to offspring and, also, intracellular agents whose products interact with environmental forces to control development, differentiation, metabolism, and degeneration. Much of this chapter will deal with the results of genetic transmission, that is, with genetic similarities and differences between individuals, present throughout their life-spans. I will attempt to demonstrate that the patterns of the aging of individuals carrying an identical array of genes will show greater similarity than will the patterns of the aging of individuals carrying different assortments of genes. To do this, I will have to deal mostly with genetically controlled animals, and I will try to bring home to you why and how these animals with specific genotypes have become important in research on the biology of aging.
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© 1978 Plenum Press, New York
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Russell, E.S. (1978). Genes and Aging. In: Behnke, J.A., Finch, C.E., Moment, G.B. (eds) The Biology of Aging. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3994-6_14
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3994-6_14
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-3996-0
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