Final answer:
The statement is false; bacteria do not require telomerase as they typically possess circular chromosomes. Telomerase is involved in the maintenance of telomeres in eukaryotic cells, not in bacterial chromosome replication.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that bacteria are dependent on telomerase to complete synthesis of their chromosome ends is false. Bacteria typically have circular chromosomes that do not require telomerase for replication. Telomerase is an enzyme found in eukaryotic cells and is essential for maintaining the telomeres, or the ends of linear chromosomes, by adding repetitive sequences that prevent degradation during cell division. This activity of telomerase is crucial particularly in germ cells, adult stem cells, and certain cancer cells to prevent chromosome shortening, which can occur during replication in these eukaryotic cells.
In contrast, bacterial DNA replication usually involves a different process known as rolling circle replication for circular DNA molecules, which does not necessitate the action of telomerase. Furthermore, the structure of bacterial ribosomes (70S) differs significantly from those of eukaryotic cells (80S), supporting the distinct cellular mechanisms between prokaryotes (like bacteria) and eukaryotes.