What is Telomere length?
A telomere is a region of repetitive DNA at the end of chromosomes, which protects the end of the chromosome from destruction. If cells divided without telomeres, they would lose the end of their chromosomes, and the necessary information it contains. The telomere is a disposable buffer, which is consumed during division of somatic cells. Thus, while the existence of telomeres means that cells can divide and carry a full compliment of DNA, it also means that somatic cells age – they cannot divide for ever.
