Telomeres

Telomeres are

the repeating sequences and structures at the ends of linear chromosomes

Free DNA ends are susceptible to nucleases. Telomeres loop and base-pair with themselves to protect the ends of linear chromosomes.

Telomeres are

the repeating sequences and structures at the ends of linear chromosomes

Free DNA ends are, what do telomeres do

susceptible to nucleases.

Telomeres loop and base-pair with themselves to protect the ends of linear chromosomes.

Linear ends of chromosomes

will be shortened over subsequent rounds of replication

Repeated sequences at the ends of chromosomes can, what do they allow, what expresses telomerase

shorten without damaging genes

• Telomeres allow a cell to go through many rounds of replication while maintaining some telomere length

• Fetal tissues and germline cells have active telomerase that lengthens telomeres

• Most somatic tissues do not have active telomerase

• Very short telomeres can cause apoptosis

Telomeres can be extended by

telomerase 3 to 5 direction