Evolutionary Theories of Aging

The model does not deny that existing theories may apply in particular cases. The paper argues that established theories do not account for the full range of observations. The reviewed theories are presented as only partial explanations of senescence. Accumulated mutation theory says harmful late-life mutations face weak selection because few individuals reach old age in nature. Disposable soma theory treats longevity as a tradeoff involving maintenance and repair resources. Antagonistic pleiotropy says genes with early-life benefits can persist despite late-life harms.