Title. Why do our bodies stop growing at one point and begin to decline in function? If the purpose of life is to live and reproduce, wouldn’t it make more sense to continually evolve and live forever? Also don’t our cells constantly regenerate? So if they do then why do they start to die out?
In: Biology
Life has no divined purpose. We have genes which have served us (humans/mammals/lifeforms) well, but it would be a mistake to think these have an overarching purpose or design. The genes have come about through natural selection and have essentially served their purpose after we have procreated. The rest may be “gravy,” although sociologists like to come up with group survival advantages accruing to those with seniors.
To take your question and flip it around, it is indeed possible to have immortal cells – these are cancer cells. The genes for this neoplastic process are inherent to the need for the embryo to invade the wall of the uterus, steal blood and grow. Look at these embryonic cells under a microscope and your will be hard pressed to say they aren’t a doppelganger for a cancer cell.
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