What is the function of telomeres?
What is the function of telomeres?
Answered
The primary function of telomeres is to protect the ends of chromosomes from damage, degradation, and fusion with other chromosomes. They prevent the loss of genetic information during cell division, acting as a buffer zone that absorbs the shortening of DNA that occurs during replication. Telomeres also prevent the ends of chromosomes from being recognized as damaged or broken by the cell’s DNA repair mechanisms, which would otherwise trigger inappropriate repair processes, such as chromosome fusion. As a cell divides, the telomeres shorten, which serves as a mechanism to limit the number of divisions a cell can undergo. This function helps to prevent uncontrolled cell proliferation, a characteristic feature of cancer, and contributes to the aging process.
BNO Team