Does Telomere length really affect life expectancy?
What are Telomeres?
As our cells divide, or undergo mitosis (also known as cell division), they replicate the long strands (chromosomes) of DNA that are located in the nucleus. The body’s mechanics are imperfect and the DNA is shortened slightly each time the process is repeated. This article will not go into detail on the exact process, but this video can help you understand it better. To prevent the DNA from being damaged during the replication, the blank areas at the end chromosomes act as a buffer. This allows the DNA to be copied without losing genetic information. Telomeres are the areas at the end of chromosomes that contain mostly blank DNA. Telomeres are not only a buffer for DNA replication but also prevent broken DNA strands from attaching to the ends of the chromosomes. This prevents the chromosomes becoming conjoined and allows the broken DNA strand to be repaired.
Do longer telomeres correlate with longer lifespans
Source:
https://www.regenerativemedicinedaily.com/does-telomere-length-really-affect-lifespan
