Final answer:
Telomerase is active in germ and adult stem cells but inactive in adult somatic cells, playing roles in aging and potential medical applications in regenerative medicine and cancer treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Telomerase is fully active in germ cells and adult stem cells, but almost completely inactive in adult somatic cells. Germ cells and stem cells require telomerase to maintain the length of their telomeres during cell division, which is crucial for the reproductive process and for stem cells to preserve their ability to regenerate various tissues. In somatic cells, telomerase activity is very low or absent, leading to telomere shortening, which is associated with aging. Telomerase has implications in both regenerative medicine and cancer treatment, as it has the potential to reverse age-related conditions and could be targeted to prevent the proliferation of cancer cells.
Telomerase is typically active in germ cells and adult stem cells. It is not active in adult somatic cells. Telomerase is an enzyme that helps maintain the length and integrity of the telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. In germ cells and adult stem cells, telomerase is needed to counteract the normal shortening of telomeres during cell division. However, in adult somatic cells, telomerase activity is suppressed, leading to telomere shortening and eventual cell aging.