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A telomere is a complex structure made up of repetitive DNA sequences found at the ends of chromosomes in eukaryotic cells. Its primary function is to protect the chromosome from degradation, as well as from being involved in improper recombination events or fusion with other chromosomes. The term “telomere” is derived from Greek, where “telos” means “end” and “meros” means “part,” highlighting its position at the ends of chromosomes. Telomeres are essential for maintaining the stability and integrity of the genome during cell division, and their length is a key factor in determining the lifespan of a cell. Over time, the telomeres shorten with each cell division due to the inability of DNA polymerase to fully replicate the chromosomal ends, which is known as the “end replication problem.”
BNO Team