Answer:
Rate-of-living theories propose that aging occurs due to the accumulation of damage caused by metabolic processes over time. These theories suggest that the faster an organism uses up its energy and resources, the faster it will age and die. Furthermore, metabolism generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage cellular components, such as DNA and proteins, leading to functional decline and ultimately death.
According to rate-of-living theories, organisms with higher metabolic rates have a shorter lifespan because they produce more ROS and accumulate more damage over time. This is why smaller animals, such as mice, typically have a shorter lifespan than larger animals, such as elephants, despite having similar genetic makeup.
Rate-of-living theories offer a plausible explanation for aging. However, they have been challenged by other theories, such as the disposable soma theory and the antagonistic pleiotropy theory. The disposable soma theory proposes that aging is caused by the trade-off between the maintenance of somatic cells and the allocation of resources to reproduction. The antagonistic pleiotropy theory suggests that genes that have positive effects early in life but negative effects later in life can contribute to aging.
In summary, rate-of-living theories propose that aging is caused by the accumulation of damage due to metabolic processes. Additionally, organisms with higher metabolic rates age faster than those with lower metabolic rates. However, this is just one of several theories that attempt to explain the complex process of aging.
Step-by-step explanation: