ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on general principles and concepts used in the study of biogerontology, the scientific investigation of the biological mechanisms of how and why we age. It presents the history of biogerontology, from its origins to its rise as an independent subfield within the general discipline of biology. The chapter explores the underlying cause of aging and how biogerontologists define aging. It examines how biogerontologists model human aging through the use of laboratory animals, the study of wild animals, and by quantitative analysis. The chapter deals with a definition of aging that will serve as biology students guide throughout the text. It provides the history and development of definitions of aging and considering why these definitions remain relevant to specific areas within the general scope of biogerontology. Planaria and hydra are excellent models in which to investigate the genetic and biochemical mechanisms underlying tissue regeneration. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
