i wonder what telomere is all about?

Question

i read this in a magazine and i wonder if it really exist

Answer 1

Telomeres are sequences at the ends of chromosomes. Though they are written in the 'alphabet' of the genes, telomeres do not contain the codes for proteins. So telomeres are not themselves genes, but neither are they meaningless junk. Instead these repetitive sequences protect the ends of the chromosome from damage, and prevent the chromosomes from fusing into rings, or binding haphazardly to other DNA in the cell nucleus.

Plenty more at the link.

Answer 2

Telomeres are indeed a big topic these days. The person who answered before me is more or less accurate in the definition. Telomeres play an essential role in our genes. Everytime our DNA replicates, it gets shorter. Google N-replication problem. Since telomeres are sequenced at the end of everyone of our DNA, they get chopped off. Since they are the so called "junk" (In actuality they do have a purpose) code, it doesn't matter. But once you hit your 20's, these telomeres no longer function for what they should because there would be no more to cut. Because of this, we get older, since our DNA becomes shorter and shorter. Hence the wrinkles, difference in your physical body, and etc. If our telomeres never got shorter, we would literally stay young for a very very very long time. So, in theory, genetic diseases like cancer can be prevented, if cancer is genetic. Currently, there is a research team better understanding why cancer cells don't grow old with us. Cancer cells have telomerase (enzyme) that protects its telomeres. Using this same technology, scientists are trying to incorporate telomerase into our genes to prevent our telomeres from being cut off.

Remember the first cloned sheep Dolly? Her donor, or mother's DNA was taken and used to clone Dolly. Since Dolly's mother was already old, when Dolly was born, she resembled her mother at the exact same age, due to the shortage of the telomeres. Dolly couldn't live as long as her mother.