Do bacteria have telomeres?

Bacteria do not have telomeres. Unlike eukaryotic cells, which have linear chromosomes with telomeres at their ends, bacterial chromosomes are typically circular. Circular chromosomes do not experience the same issues with replication at their ends as linear chromosomes do, so they do not require telomeres for protection. However, some bacteria have specialized DNA sequences, like the origin of replication, that help ensure proper replication and stability of their circular DNA.