Telomere: Difference between revisions
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A telomere can be defined as "The tip of a [[Chromosome|chromosome]], containing a [[DNA|DNA]] sequence required for stability of the [[Chromosome|chromosome]] end". Telomeres are unique structures which may be present at the ends of linear [[Chromosome|chromosomes]]. [[Organism|Organisms]] which possess linear [[Chromosome|chromosomes]] encounter difficulty when it comes to complete replication of [[DNA|DNA]] ends. [[DNA polymerase|DNA polymerase]] [[Enzyme|enzyme]] requires an [[RNA|RNA]] [[Primer|primer]] inorder to enable itself to copy [[DNA|DNA]] ([[DNA|DNA]] copied in a 5'-3' direction). The end of [[DNA|DNA]] replication is followed by the removal of the [[RNA|RNA]] primer from the lagging strand. This [[RNA|RNA]] primer removal leads to shortening of the [[Chromosome|chromosome]] with each round of replication. | A telomere can be defined as "The tip of a [[Chromosome|chromosome]], containing a [[DNA|DNA]] sequence required for stability of the [[Chromosome|chromosome]] end". Telomeres are unique structures which may be present at the ends of linear [[Chromosome|chromosomes]]. [[Organism|Organisms]] which possess linear [[Chromosome|chromosomes]] encounter difficulty when it comes to complete replication of [[DNA|DNA]] ends. [[DNA polymerase|DNA polymerase]] [[Enzyme|enzyme]] requires an [[RNA|RNA]] [[Primer|primer]] inorder to enable itself to copy [[DNA|DNA]] ([[DNA|DNA]] copied in a 5'-3' direction). The end of [[DNA|DNA]] replication is followed by the removal of the [[RNA|RNA]] primer from the lagging strand. This [[RNA|RNA]] 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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Revision as of 12:57, 26 November 2010
A telomere can be defined as "The tip of a chromosome, containing a DNA sequence required for stability of the chromosome end". Telomeres are unique structures which may be present at the ends of linear chromosomes. Organisms which possess linear chromosomes encounter difficulty when it comes to complete replication of DNA ends. DNA polymerase enzyme requires an RNA primer inorder to enable itself to copy DNA (DNA copied in a 5'-3' direction). The end of DNA replication is followed by the removal of the RNA primer from the lagging strand. This RNA primer removal leads to shortening of the 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. [1]