AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Telomeres, the specific DNA–protein structures found at both ends of each chromosome, protect genome from nucleolytic degradation, unnecessary recombination, repair, and interchromosomal fusion. Telomeres therefore play a vital role in preserving the information in our genome.

Detailed explanation-2: -Telomeres are structures made from DNA sequences and proteins found at the ends of chromosomes. They cap and protect the end of a chromosome like the end of a shoelace. In almost all animals, from the simplest to the most complex, telomeres are required for cell division.

Detailed explanation-3: -Telomeres protect chromosome ends from fusion and from being recognized as sites of DNA damage (Box 1). Dysfunctional telomeres, arising by critical shortening of telomeres in normal somatic cells during progressive cell divisions, elicit DNA damage responses (DDRs) that trigger cellular senescence.

Detailed explanation-4: -Why do chromosomes have telomeres? Without telomeres, the main part of the chromosome-the part with genes essential for life-would get shorter each time a cell divides. So telomeres allow cells to divide without losing genes. Cell division is necessary for growing new skin, blood, bone, and other cells.

Detailed explanation-5: -Shelterin is known to regulate the action of telomerase, and to prevent inappropriate DNA damage responses at chromosome ends, mostly through inhibition of ATM and ATR.