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telomere

Telomeres are the ends of chromosomes. They consist of repetitive sequences that vary in length between species and individuals. With each cell division, telomeres shorten due to oxidative stress and the inability of DNA polymerase to fully replicate them (end replication problem). Several means to lengthen telomeres have been observed; in humans, two methods exist: the telomerase enzyme and the recombination-based alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). Telomeres play a significant role in cancer development and stem cell aging.

90% of cancers activate telomerase as a telomere maintenance mechanism.

by tempest33 March 16, 2009


Vine telomeres

(of a vine/video meme): The short time snippets which can be removed from the start and end of a vine without losing it any humor.

Dajuan: Why is that version of the vine one second shorter?
Aniyah: They must have just snipped off the vine telomeres.
(All watch vine)
...
Maykayla: Wait, no! They cut off the best part!

Aniyah: Never mind, I guess that wasn't a telomere!

by Vine geneticist March 20, 2021