ABSTRACT
GENERAL THEORIES OF AGING Aging is a complex, general process affecting all living organisms that leads to death. The changes observed throughout the life that oppose the infinite preservation of the characteristics acquired during development define aging. As a natural, ineluctable process, aging cannot be prevented, but it can be accelerated by environmental conditions. Thus the purpose of the research on aging is to understand the mechanisms of chronological (intrinsic) and extrinsic aging in order to decrease the influence of environmental condi-
tions that worsen natural aging. Two general theories explain intrinsic aging: genetic theories and theories about the accumulation of cellular damages.
