Telomeres Flashcards
What’s the purpose of telomeres ? How do they relate to DNA replication?
Allow cells to divide without losing genes, cell division is needed for new skin, blood, bone, and other cells
How do levels of telomerase enzyme compare between young cells and older cells? What does this enzyme do?
Young cells: telomerase keeps telomeres from wearing down too much (lots)
Old cells: cells divide repeatedly there’s not as much telomerase so telomeres grow shorter and cells age.
Telomerase: adds bases to ends of telomeres
How are telomeres related to cancer ?
High amounts of telomerase does not allow telomeres to get short & cells to die, so a large amount of dividing cells can become a tumour. Scientists may be able to detect cancer by measuring the amount of telomerase
How might telomerase be used to slow the aging process?
Shorter telomeres are associated with shorter lives. Lifespan is put to question if it could be extended by preserving or restoring the length of telomeres with telomerase
What is oxidative stress? What role does it play in aging process?
: damage of DNA, proteins, lipids caused by major oxidants and is a major cause of aging
What is glycation?
When glucose sugar from what we eat binds to some of our DNA, proteins, lipids, leaving them unable to do their job
How was glycation and oxidative stress effect aging?
It causes our tissue to malfunction
Resulting in disease or death
Define a telomere
Stretches of DNA at the end chromosome that protect our genetic data, make it possible for cells to divide, and contribute to aging and cancer
