degenerating

Degenerating is the present participle form of the verb degenerate and is used to describe processes in which structure or function deteriorates over time. In biology and medicine, degeneration refers to the gradual loss of cellular or tissue function and integrity, which can arise from aging, injury, metabolic disturbances, or disease. The term encompasses a range of changes, some of which may be reversible in early stages and others that lead to permanent impairment.

In cellular and tissue contexts, degenerative changes can take many forms. Examples include fatty degeneration, where lipids accumulate within cells; hydropic degeneration, marked by cell swelling; and other subsides of structural integrity and metabolic activity. Pathologists distinguish degeneration from atrophy (shrinkage without a qualitative change in cellular composition) and necrosis (cell death). Degeneration may be localized to a tissue or part of an organ and can be influenced by genetic, environmental, and systemic factors.

Degenerative diseases are conditions characterized by progressive deterioration of structure or function, typically presents chronically and advances over time. Common areas affected include the nervous system (neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's), joints and skeletal tissue (osteoarthritis), and various organs (liver, muscles). These diseases often involve multifactorial etiologies, including genetics, metabolism, inflammation, and aging, and are a major focus of biomedical research and clinical management.

In botany and broader usage, degeneration can describe a loss of function or simplification of tissues under stress or during development. The term remains a general descriptor of deterioration across biological contexts.