Reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage biomolecules, accelerate aging, and shorten life span, whereas antioxidant enzymes mitigate these effects. Because mitochondria are a primary site of ROS generation and also a primary ...

The free radical theory of aging states that oxidative damage to biomolecules causes aging and that antioxidants neutralize free radicals and thus decelerate aging. Mitochondria produce most of the reactive oxygen species, ...