ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Cellular senescence

Our bodies are made up of tiny building blocks called cells. These cells are like little factories that work together to keep us healthy and strong. Just like anything else that works hard, our cells can get tired and stop functioning properly over time.

This is where cellular senescence comes in. It’s like a fire alarm that goes off when a cell is no longer working correctly. When a cell is damaged or too old to keep doing its job, it sends out signals that tell our body to get rid of it. This is called senescence.

Think of senescence like a superhero that comes in and saves the day. It stops the bad cells from causing harm to our body by preventing them from dividing and growing. This is important because when too many bad cells are allowed to grow, they can become tumors that can harm our bodies.

While senescence is helpful in stopping bad cells, it can also cause problems if it gets out of control. This is because senescent cells tend to accumulate in our bodies over time and can cause inflammation and other health problems.

Scientists are now studying ways to remove senescent cells from our bodies to improve health and prevent age-related diseases. In conclusion, cellular senescence is like a superhero that helps protect our bodies from bad cells but can also cause problems if not controlled.