What Is Telomere And Cellular Aging

Posted by Gökhan Gökmen 05/02/2022 0 Comment(s) Science,

Telomeres are the caps at the end of each strand of DNA that protect it, like the plastic tips at the end of shoelaces. They affect how cells age and are essential for maintaining cell integrity.

In each cell there are 23 pairs of chromosomes. Telomeres are the end tips of each chromosomes and there are 92 telomeres in a cell.

Telomere is a compound structure of unique DNA repeats (TTAGGG) that acts as a protective cap at the end of each strand of DNA. Telomeres do not have genetic codes but only repetetive sequences. Shortens over time due to aging and lifestyle factors (poor nutrition, psychological stress, lack of exercise, etc.), leaving the DNA that makes up our genes vulnerable to damage which may cause mutations and finally cancer.

Telomeres shorten each time a cell divides, which, over time, leaves the genetic DNA unprotected and causes cellular function to be compromised – like a shoelace that loses its plastic end cap and becomes frayed. This is very critical for cell function therefore tissue or organ function. Once cells become old then organs will start to fail.