View source for Telomere

A telomere can be defined&nbsp;as "The tip of a [[Chromosome|chromosome]], containing a [[DNA|DNA]] sequence required for stability of the [[Chromosome|chromosome]] end". Telomeres&nbsp;are unique structures which may be present at the ends of linear [[Chromosome|chromosomes]]. [[Organism|Organisms]] which possess linear [[Chromosome|chromosomes]] encounter&nbsp;difficulty when it comes to complete&nbsp;replication of [[DNA|DNA]] ends. [[DNA polymerase|DNA polymerase]]&nbsp;[[Enzyme|enzyme]] requires an [[RNA|RNA]]&nbsp;[[Primer|primer]]&nbsp;inorder to enable itself to copy [[DNA|DNA]] ([[DNA|DNA]] copied in a 5'-3' direction). The end of [[DNA|DNA]]&nbsp;replication is followed by the removal of the [[RNA|RNA]]&nbsp;primer from the lagging strand. This [[RNA|RNA]]&nbsp;primer removal leads to shortening of the [[Chromosome|chromosome]] with each round of replication. 

It is also suggested that the length of telomeres are linked to aging processes. Length of telomeres can also be affected by lifestyle and diet. <ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21102320</ref> 

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= References  =

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