Replication and Aging

Question 1

function of telomeres

Answer 1

prevent chromosome ends from fusing

prevent DNA degradation from enzymes

role in determining # of times that a cell can divide

assist in DNA repair mechanisms ??

Question 2

Common base sequence

Answer 2

5’ TTAGGG 3’

Question 3

what would happen if telomeres were completely degraded

Answer 3

essential portions of DNA may be lost

new cells lose the ability to function properly & see symptoms of aging

Question 4

senescence

Answer 4

the period in a cell’s life span when it loses the ability to divide and grow

Question 5

haylick limit

Answer 5

the total number of times a normal cell can divide

diff. per species - human cells divide 50x before telomeres shorten

Question 6

how would the discovery of telomeres have prompted researching aging?

Answer 6

remaining length of telomeres within a cell tell us age of cell

cell function begins to decline effectively aging the same way people do