Final answer:
Telomerase promotes cancer by allowing cancerous cells to divide uncontrollably, and it is also implicated in the aging process, with lower activity leading to aging signs. Studies suggest that telomerase activation could help in treating age-related conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relation of telomerase to cancer formation is that it promotes cancer (B). In normal human cells, telomerase activity is generally low, leading to incremental telomere shortening as a cell divides, which is associated with aging. However, in cancerous cells, telomerase becomes active after telomeres have considerably shortened, thereby allowing these cells to divide uncontrollably. Scientists have found that inhibiting telomerase in cancer cells could potentially impede their ability to proliferate, making telomerase a target for cancer therapies.
In terms of its relation to aging, cells with diminished telomerase activity experience telomere shortening, leading to signs of aging. Studies have demonstrated potential for telomerase in reversing age-related conditions and treating age-related diseases, given its role in extending telomeres and reducing DNA damage.