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Explore the fundamental evolutionary theories that explain why organisms age in this 43-minute lecture from NPTEL-NOC IITM. Delve into the concept that natural selection's strength diminishes as organisms advance in age, examining how this principle forms the foundation for understanding aging from an evolutionary perspective. Learn about the theoretical frameworks that evolutionary biologists use to explain senescence, including how reproductive success and survival pressures change throughout an organism's lifespan. Analyze the relationship between age-related decline in selective pressure and the accumulation of deleterious mutations in later life stages. Gain insights into how evolutionary forces shape aging patterns across different species and understand why aging exists as a biological phenomenon despite its apparent disadvantages for individual survival.
