Final answer:
False. Short telomeres are indeed a risk factor for age-related diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
False. Short telomeres are indeed a risk factor for age-related diseases. Telomeres are segments of DNA that protect the ends of chromosomes, and they naturally shorten with each cell division. As telomeres become critically short, cells can enter a state called replicative senescence, where they can no longer divide or function properly. This can contribute to the development of age-related diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorders.