Are Telomeres The Key To Aging And Cancer?
Inside the nucleus of a cell, our genes are arranged along twisted, double-stranded molecules of
DNA called chromosomes. At the ends of the chromosomes are stretches of DNA called telomeres, which
protect our genetic data, make it possible for cells to divide, and hold some secrets to how we age
and get cancer.
Telomeres have been compared with the plastic tips on shoelaces, because they keep chromosome ends from fraying and sticking to each other, which would destroy or scramble an organism's genetic information.
Yet, each time a cell divides, the telomeres get shorter. When they get too short, the cell can no longer divide; it becomes inactive or "senescent", or it dies. This shortening process is associated with aging, cancer, and a higher risk of death. So telomeres also have been compared with a bomb fuse.
Telomeres have been compared with the plastic tips on shoelaces, because they keep chromosome ends from fraying and sticking to each other, which would destroy or scramble an organism's genetic information.
Yet, each time a cell divides, the telomeres get shorter. When they get too short, the cell can no longer divide; it becomes inactive or "senescent", or it dies. This shortening process is associated with aging, cancer, and a higher risk of death. So telomeres also have been compared with a bomb fuse.
Fluorescence-stained chromosomes (red) on a microscope
slide. Telomeres (yellow) sit at the ends of each chromosome. Photo
courtesy of
Dr. Robert Moyzis, UC Irvine, US Human Genome Programread more: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/chromosomes/telomeres/
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