te
lo
mere
Plural
telomeres
1
a repetitive DNA sequence at the end of a linear chromosome, protecting it from deterioration during replication, and playing a role in cellular aging and cancer development
- Think of telomeres as the plastic tips on the ends of a phone charger cable that keep it from wearing out.
- Telomere length can be influenced by various factors, including genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors.
- As cells divide, telomeres gradually shorten, acting as a biological clock that limits the number of divisions.
- The study of telomeres has implications for understanding the aging process and developing potential therapies for age-related diseases.
- The telomere's repetitive sequence, TTAGGG in humans, prevents the loss of essential genetic information with each round of cell division.