Why do you get old and ultimately die

[misskitty]

I'm not sure how physics would come into this process. This is more of a chemical thing I would think.

~Kitty

 

[quasi426]

The older you are the more likely you have aquired mutations. These mutations are not going to be the same in every cell. Therefore one can see how complicated things can get since cells in a multicellular organisms are supposed to work in complete synchronization. If mutations that are not expected begin to accumalate in different cells and in different areas one can see the possibly dire consequences.

 

[iansmith]

The apoptotic pathway? What's that?

~Kitty

Apoptosis is Programmed cell death and it can be initiated by the mitochondria when certain signals are present.

Read
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apoptosis