What is the purpose of telomeres?

The primary purpose of telomeres is to protect the ends of chromosomes from degradation, fusion, and loss of genetic information during DNA replication. Telomeres act as a protective buffer, ensuring that the essential coding regions of chromosomes are not shortened or lost as a result of incomplete DNA replication. They also prevent chromosomes from fusing with one another, which could lead to genomic instability. Telomeres play a critical role in regulating cellular lifespan by limiting the number of divisions a cell can undergo, which helps prevent uncontrolled cell growth that could lead to cancer.