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Telomeres shorten with each cellular replication; telomere length is inversely proportional to age. While telomere extension does tend to make cells "young again", telomere extension is problematic for a treatment for age because many kinds of cancer replicate indefinitely due in part to the fact they have overactive telomerase, a protein that extends the telomeres. Until the link between cancer and telomeres is understood, telomere extension therapy will not be feasible.
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What kind of scientist was elizabeth blackburn?
Elizabeth Blackburn is a molecular biologist known for her groundbreaking work on telomeres, the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that play a crucial role in cellular aging and stability. She was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2009, along with Carol Greider and Jack Szostak, for their discoveries related to telomeres and the enzyme telomerase. Her research has significantly advanced our understanding of cancer and the biology of aging. Additionally, Blackburn has been an advocate for science education and research integrity.
Tiny rods in meshworks or bundles that help cell to shorten?
Telomeres
Explain difference between internal link and external link?
Anchor Link - A hyperlink which points to a specific element on the same page.Internal Link - A hyperlink that links to another page on the same website.External Link - A hyperlink that links to another website.
What are several criticisms of the real age concept that have been raised by other experts in the science of aging?
One of the long-term arguments about aging is between a person's calendar age and biological age. Calendar age being your chronological time period by measurement of days and Biological meaning your fixed age.
Which of the following statements best reflects the symbolic-interaction approach to the study of aging?
APEX - Perceptions of aging change with culture.
How may the degradation of telomeres result in cellular aging?
It is speculated that shortening of telomeres could be the cause of aging, or could be speeding the aging process up. It is known that telomeres preserve the life of the cell and may even extend the life of the cell. To understand how aging of the cell happens, we have to look back at the life of the chromosome. The cell divides and the telomeres continue to get shorter and shorter until it reaches such a critical length that the cell loses its ability to divide. Some cells might die or as mentioned earlier, they will lose their reproductive capability, or cellular senescence. Cellular senescence will have an overall affect on the organism, contributing to decline of tissue function that is the main trait of aging. Therefore, it is right to assume that telomere dysfunction which leads to senescence, has an effect on the aging process.
What is the protective cap of DNA on the tip of chromosomes?
The telomere is the protective cap of DNA on the tip of chromosomes. You lose a small amount of these telomeres each time the cell divides. Eventually the telomeres be lost as you age. Short chromosomes because of lack telomeres are one reason aging occurs.
Is a repetitive sequence at the end of each human chromosome?
Yes, each human chromosome has a repetitive sequence at its ends called telomeres. These telomeres protect the chromosome from degradation and prevent it from fusing with neighboring chromosomes. As cells divide, telomeres shorten, which is associated with aging and limits the number of times a cell can divide. When telomeres become critically short, the cell may enter a state of senescence or undergo apoptosis.
What are tips of chromosomes called?
The tips of chromosomes are called telomeres. They are repetitive sequences of DNA that protect the ends of chromosomes from deterioration or fusion with neighboring chromosomes. Telomeres play a crucial role in cellular aging and stability, as they shorten with each cell division. When telomeres become too short, the cell can undergo senescence or apoptosis.
How long are human telomeres?
Human telomeres typically measure about 8,000 to 10,000 base pairs in length at birth. As cells divide over time, telomeres gradually shorten, which is associated with aging and cellular senescence. In most somatic cells, telomeres can shorten to around 1,500 to 3,000 base pairs by the time an individual reaches old age. However, certain stem cells and cancer cells can maintain or even lengthen their telomeres through specific mechanisms.
What happens when telomeres shorten?
When telomeres shorten, the cell's ability to divide and replicate gradually diminishes. This can lead to cellular senescence or programmed cell death (apoptosis), ultimately impacting tissue regeneration and overall aging. Shortened telomeres are also associated with an increased risk of age-related diseases like cancer and cardiovascular conditions.
Why do the telomeres shorten?
Telomeres shorten primarily due to the end replication problem during DNA replication, where the enzymes that replicate DNA cannot fully replicate the ends of linear chromosomes. Additionally, factors like oxidative stress and cellular aging contribute to telomere shortening. As cells divide, telomeres become progressively shorter, eventually leading to cellular senescence or apoptosis when they reach a critical length. This shortening process is linked to aging and the development of age-related diseases.
How do telomeres figure into Allhoff's argument against cloning?
Allhoff argues against cloning by highlighting the role of telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division. In cloned organisms, telomeres may be shorter than those in naturally conceived individuals, potentially leading to premature aging and health issues. This biological limitation suggests that cloning might not only replicate the genetic material but also inherit the cellular aging process, undermining the potential benefits of cloning. Thus, telomeres serve as a key factor in questioning the viability and ethical implications of cloning.
Replication of telomers and its segnificance in aging?
Maintaining telomere length has been associates with aging. The enzyme telomerase adds nucleotides to the ends of telomeres thereby maintaining their length. This enzyme is able to function only until a certain limit, called the Heyflick limit (named after the person who first reported this phenomenon). When the heyflick limit is reached, telomeres cannot be enzymatically lengthened and are programmed for death
What part of the chromosome might be involved with processes such as aging and cancer?
Telomeres, located at the ends of chromosomes, play a role in aging and cancer. They protect the chromosome from degradation and help regulate cell division. Loss of telomere function has been associated with both aging and cancer development.
What is the name of special DNA sequences located at the ends of chromosomes whose erosion contributes to cellular aging and death?
Telomeres are the special DNA sequences located at the ends of chromosomes that protect them from deterioration and contribute to aging and cell death when they become too short. Telomeres gradually shorten with each cell division, eventually reaching a critical length that triggers cellular senescence or death.
Does the telomeres serve as a mitotic clock?
Yes, telomeres serve as a mitotic clock by shortening with each cell division. They protect chromosome ends from deterioration or fusion with neighboring chromosomes, but as cells divide, the telomeres become progressively shorter. Once they reach a critical length, the cell can no longer divide and may enter senescence or undergo apoptosis. This mechanism plays a crucial role in regulating cellular lifespan and aging.
