What is the function of the telomeric region?
Telomeres are repetitive nucleotide sequences at each end of chromosomes. Their function is to protect the ends of the chromosomes from deterioration or fusion to other chromosomes during cell division.
What are telomeres easy definition?
A telomere is the end of a chromosome. Telomeres are made of repetitive sequences of non-coding DNA that protect the chromosome from damage. Each time a cell divides, the telomeres become shorter. Eventually, the telomeres become so short that the cell can no longer divide.
What is a telomere and what is its function?
Telomeres, the repetitive DNA repeat sequences at the end of linear eukaryotic chromosomes protecting chromosome ends from degradation and illegitimate recombination, play a crucial role in cell fate and aging.
What structure is formed from telomeric DNA?
Telomeres form large loop structures called telomere loops, or T-loops. Here, the single-stranded DNA curls around in a long circle, stabilized by telomere-binding proteins.
What is telomeres and aging?
Telomeres play a central role in cell fate and aging by adjusting the cellular response to stress and growth stimulation on the basis of previous cell divisions and DNA damage. At least a few hundred nucleotides of telomere repeats must “cap” each chromosome end to avoid activation of DNA repair pathways.
What does telomeres mean in biology?
Telomeres are special deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) structures that “cap” the ends of our chromosomes in conjunction with specialized proteins, the telomere-shelterin complex. This complex protects the chromosomes from erosion and end-to-end fusion.
Is telomeric a word?
tel·o·mere.
How does a telomere work?
Our chromosomes have protective structures located at their ends called telomeres. These protect our chromosomes by preventing them from damage or fusion with other chromosomes. Telomeres are made up of thousands of repeats of the same DNA sequence, bound by a special set of proteins called shelterin.
What do telomeres do quizlet?
Telomeres are “caps” at the ends of chromosomes that protect your genes from being eroded each time a cell divides. Specifically they are repeating bases and proteins at the tips of chromosomes.
Why do we need telomerase?
Telomeres act as protective caps on the ends of our chromosomes and prevent damage and fusion with other chromosomes. A useful analogy for this can be the way an aglet of a shoelace prevents fraying, unravelling and tangling of laces.
Why is a telomere important?
Their job is to stop the ends of chromosomes from fraying or sticking to each other, much like the plastic tips on the ends of shoelaces. Telomeres also play an important role in making sure our DNA gets copied properly when cells divide. This shortening is thought to be one of several factors that causes cells to age.
What is the medical definition of a telomere?
Medical Definition of telomere. : the natural end of a eukaryotic chromosome composed of a usually repetitive DNA sequence and serving to stabilize the chromosome. Other Words from telomere.
What happens to your telomeres as you age?
Without the coating, shoelaces become frayed until they can no longer do their job, just as without telomeres, DNA strands become damaged and our cells can’t do their job.3 Telomeres are shortened as we age, but telomeres can also be shortened by stress, smoking, obesity, lack of exercise and a poor diet 3,4,6,7
Why are the telomeres of the chromosome shorter?
Telomeres are made of repetitive sequences of non-coding DNA that protect the chromosome from damage. Each time a cell divides, the telomeres become shorter.
How does the enzyme extend the telomeric repeat?
The enzyme binds to a special RNA molecule that contains a sequence complementary to the telomeric repeat. It extends (adds nucleotides to) the overhanging strand of the telomere DNA using this complementary RNA as a template.