Final answer:
Telomeres are repetitive noncoding sequences at the ends of chromosomes that play a crucial role in aging. Telomerase is an enzyme that helps maintain telomere length, which diminishes as cells divide.
Step-by-step explanation:
Within human cells, the ends of the linear chromosomes are capped by protective structures known as telomeres. These telomeres are composed of noncoding repetitive sequences, specifically a six base-pair sequence, TTAGGG, that can be repeated from 100 to 1000 times. This repetition acts as a protective buffer for coding sequences during cell division, preventing them from being lost over time.
The length of telomeres is characteristic for each individual and is significant as it relates to the biological process of aging. The enzyme telomerase plays a crucial role in maintaining these telomeres, by extending them and compensating for the shortening that occurs with each cell division. However, most somatic cells do not produce telomerase, leading to shorter telomeres and therefore an aging phenotype as cell division continues.
Studies have shown that factors such as stress and childhood trauma are inversely correlated with telomere length. Moreover, the discovery that telomerase can reverse some age-related conditions in mice opens a potential avenue for therapeutic interventions that could improve human health span. Scientists continue to study telomere lengthening due to its association with a healthier and younger appearance, as well as its potential impact on increasing the quality of life as we grow older.