HAYFLICK LIMIT Meaning and
Definition
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The Hayflick limit refers to the finite number of times that a normal human cell population can divide before reaching a state of replicative senescence or cell death. Named after the American scientist Leonard Hayflick, who first discovered this phenomenon in the 1960s, the Hayflick limit refers to the restricted replication potential of normal somatic cells.
Typically, a human somatic cell can only divide a limited number of times before entering a state called replicative senescence, in which it becomes unable to undergo further divisions. This intrinsic limit arises due to the gradual shortening of telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. With each cell division, telomeres become progressively shorter until they reach a critical length, triggering cellular senescence or cell death.
The Hayflick limit has significant implications for aging and the functional decline of tissues and organs. It serves as a biological clock that determines the maximum proliferative capacity of somatic cells. As the Hayflick limit is reached, cellular functions and tissue resilience decline, leading to the onset of aging-associated diseases.
Although the Hayflick limit is a general characteristic of most human cells, some cells, such as stem cells and cancer cells, have the ability to bypass or reset this limit by activating telomerase, an enzyme that can lengthen telomeres. This ability allows these cells to divide indefinitely, emphasizing their role in tissue maintenance, repair, and tumor growth.
Common Misspellings for HAYFLICK LIMIT
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Etymology of HAYFLICK LIMIT
The term "Hayflick limit" is named after Leonard Hayflick, an American anatomist and microbiologist who first described the phenomenon of cellular aging in 1961. The term was coined in recognition of Hayflick's pioneering studies on cellular aging and the limited capacity of human cells to divide and replicate.
The word "limit" refers to the point at which cells reach their maximum replicative capacity and can no longer divide, leading to cell senescence or death. Hayflick's research showed that human cells derived from normal tissues can divide a finite number of times before entering a state of irreversible growth arrest, known as replicative senescence.
The discovery of this limit challenged the prevailing belief at the time that cells could divide indefinitely, known as the "immortal" or "unlimited" division theory.
