Final answer:
The provided statement is false; the RNA primer is not covalently bound to telomerase. Telomerase has its own RNA to extend telomeres, crucial in chromosome integrity and involved in stem cell development, cancer pathology, and apoptosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement about the RNA primer and telomerase is not accurate. The RNA primer made by primase is indeed necessary for the initiation of DNA replication, but it is not covalently bound to the telomerase enzyme. Instead, telomerase contains an RNA component that serves as a template for adding telomere repeats to the ends of chromosomes. Telomerase extends the 3' end of a DNA strand using its RNA component for base pairing, allowing for the complete replication of chromosome ends in germ and stem cells, which is crucial for maintaining chromosome integrity during cell division. In somatic cells, telomerase activity is reduced, leading to the progressive shortening of telomeres, which is a factor in aging and programmed cell death or apoptosis. Telomerase is often reactivated in cancer cells, allowing them to divide indefinitely, which is one of the hallmarks of cancer.