Disposable Soma Theory
The disposable soma theory of aging is an evolutionary model of aging proposed by Thomas Kirkwood in 1977. It models survival and reproduction as a resource allocation problem where an organism must divide a finite metabolic budget between reproduction and the maintenance of its non-reproductive tissues (soma). To maximize Darwinian fitness, the organism allocates just enough energy to somatic repair to keep itself functional through its expected natural lifespan, diverting the remaining resources to produce offspring.
Kirkwood formulated this model to provide a physiological mechanism for earlier evolutionary theories of aging, specifically Peter Medawar’s 1952 mutation accumulation concept and George C.
Log in and become a supporter to read the full article.
Become a supporter to read the full article.