What is true of the enzyme telomerase?

Telomerase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and stability of chromosomes by adding repetitive DNA sequences known as telomeres to the ends of chromosomes. Telomeres consist of short, repeating units that protect chromosome ends from degradation and prevent them from being recognized as damaged DNA that needs to be repaired. This addition of telomere sequences helps to counteract the natural shortening that occurs with each round of DNA replication, allowing cells to divide without losing essential genetic information.

Understanding the function of telomerase is essential, particularly in the context of cellular aging and cancer biology, as its activity is significantly elevated in many cancer cells, allowing them to proliferate indefinitely. This makes the role of telomerase vital in both normal cellular function and disease processes.