What are telomeres?
Telomeres (tē lo meres) are buffers, protective pieces of DNA at the ends of each and every chromosome in every cell in the body. They are there to protect the integrity of the genome. Every time a cell divides, telomeres shorten and when they get too short they can no longer protect the cell’s genetic material and the cell can no longer divide and create new rejuvenating cells. This is literally the “kiss of death” for a cell. Telomeres serve as molecular clocks that are counting down the proliferative lifespan of our cells.
