Answered
Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme that is composed of two main components: a reverse transcriptase (TERT) and an RNA template (TR). The RNA template provides the sequence that is used by the reverse transcriptase to add repeating nucleotide units to the telomeres at the ends of chromosomes. In most somatic cells, telomerase activity is low or absent, leading to progressive telomere shortening with each cell division. However, in certain cells like stem cells, germ cells, and cancer cells, telomerase is active, allowing the cell to extend telomeres and avoid the normal telomere shortening process that limits cell division. Telomerase plays a crucial role in maintaining genomic stability by preserving telomere length.
Did this page help you?
BNO Team