Question

What are telomeres and what is there role in cell death?

Answer 1

Telomeres cap and protect the ends of chromosomes from degradation and illegitimate recombination. ... Abolition of telomerase activity in such cells nevertheless results in telomere shortening, a process that eventually destabilizes the ends of chromosomes, leading to genomic instability and cell growth arrest or death.

Answer 2

They protect the ends of our chromosomes by forming a cap, much like the plastic tip on shoelaces. If the telomeres were not there, our chromosomes may end up sticking to other chromosomes.