Research findings on cellular senescence may explain not only the life span potential of cells, but also cancer and human mortality. Research findings on cellular senescence may explain not only the life span potential of cells, but also cancer and human mortality.
Most cells regenerate themselves by dividing to form a pair of new cells.
Cultures of senescent cells cannot be mistaken for younger cells, which are uniform in appearance and line up in parallel arrays. By contrast, senescent cells exhibit a grainy appearance and take on odd shapes and sizes. They lose the ability to organize themselves in a regular pattern. These striking changes are called the senescent phenotype. Senescent cells also behave in deviant ways.