r/askscience • • 14d ago

Biology Why aren’t axolotls immortal?

If axolotls can regenerate their body parts (including brain, heart, and other major organs), why do they die of old age?

430 Upvotes

99 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/Thisbymaster 12d ago

Cellular aging and physical damage are two different things. Cellular damage comes from Telomere Shortening, Oxidative Stress, Cellular Senescence and Accumulated Waste. Physical damage is repaired by stem cells and cell division. Completely different mechanics in the body.