senescent

se·nes·cent (sə nes′ənt)

adjective

growing old; aging

Etymology: L senescens, prp. of senescere, to grow old < senex, old: see senate

se·nes′·cence (-əns) noun

Modifies a noun

cell: Senescence produces ' genetic death ' , in that the senescent cell is incapable of further propagation.

Used with adjective complement

become: Once this cap reaches a certain length, cell division stops and the cell becomes senescent.

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