Programmed theories are scientific explanations that suggest organisms age and die due to predetermined biological processes. These theories propose that aging is a result of genetic programming, where specific genes control the life span and aging process of an organism. One example of a programmed theory is the telomere theory, which posits that the shortening of telomeres—protective caps on the ends of chromosomes—leads to cellular aging. As cells divide, telomeres shorten, eventually triggering cell senescence or death, contributing to the overall aging of the organism.