Telomeres, Aging and Cancer

Question 1

What is a telomere

Answer 1

Repeating sequence of DNA at the end of a chromosome that protects coding regions from being lost during replication

Question 2

What is telomerase

Answer 2

• Enzyme that lengthens telomeres
• Found in high amounts in germ-line cells, stem cells and certain white blood cells

Question 3

Telomere Functions

Answer 3

• Prevents chromosomes from fusing to each other
• Prevent DNA degradation
• Assist DNA repairing process

Question 4

What is Cell Senescence?

Answer 4

Cellular aging

Question 5

What is the Hayflick limit?

Answer 5

• Biological clocks counting down the total number of times a cell can divide

Question 6

What is the human Hayflick limit?

Answer 6

• Allows about 50 replications before telomeres become too short

Question 7

Telomeres and Aging

Answer 7

• Healthy lifestyle and exercising is linked to longer telomere lengths
• Even though shortened telomeres are not directly linked to aging

Question 8

Telomeres and Cancer

Answer 8

• Cancer cells produce telomerase in high quantities
• Cancer cells continue to divide because of telomerase activity
• So scientists question the benefit of having active telomerase within cells