Longevity

High school (ages 12+)
Philosophy & Big Questions

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/longevity

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How big is Longevity?Understanding the biological mechanisms of aging
2. What is the scientific name of immortal jellyfish?Turritopsis dohrnii
3. What is the mechanism of biological immortality in turritopsis dohrnii?Transdifferentiation (reverting to polyp stage)
4. Why do people want to live longer?People want to live longer so they can experience more of life and learn new things. It also helps them share their knowledge with others.
5. How do scientists study aging?Scientists study aging by looking at cells, DNA, and things like telomeres and free radicals. They try to understand how these parts change as we get older.

Gerontology: The scientific study of aging and the specific problems of old age.
Telomeres: Protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with cell division.
Transdifferentiation: A process where one mature cell type changes into another mature cell type.