# Gerontology

Gerontology is the scientific study of aging. It covers the biology, the psychology, and the social side of getting older. It became a formal field in the early 20th century. Ilya Mechnikov coined the term in 1903. The field has several branches. These include biogerontology, social gerontology, and geriatric medicine. It is the broad umbrella. Within it, 'geroscience' zooms in on the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind disease as you age.

## Sources

- Metchnikoff E. (1903). Études sur la nature de l'homme: essai de philosophie optimiste. Masson, Paris

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