What is the origin of this exponential increase? Thermal motion is not the only source of damage in our cells. Some regular processes, especially metabolism in our mitochondria, are not perfect and tend to produce radicals—highly reactive atoms that can damage DNA. Together, thermal noise and free radical production constitute a background risk of cell damage. The damage is usually repaired, or, if a cell is deemed beyond repair, the cell is induced to commit suicide—a process called apoptosis. Usually, a stem cell replaces it.
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