Telomeres Have Been a Recent Focus in Experiments Regarding Both

question 31

Essay

Telomeres have been a recent focus in experiments regarding both aging and cloning.For example,it has been shown that in the absence of telomerase,the chromosome becomes shorter and shorter after each cell division.When chromosomes reach a certain length,the cell may cease to divide and die.Hence,maintaining telomerase action could be a "fountain of youth" for a cell.

Excess telomerase activity is associated with cancer cells,providing unlimited numbers of cell divisions (immortality)to these cells and presenting a dangerous threat to the organism.

Find a recent news or research article on telomeres,and discuss what the experiment tells you about the role of telomerase in the cell.Could activation of this enzyme in humans be beneficial with regard to age-related disease?

Hint: "http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/11/mouse-aging-reversal/ (and similar articles)

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