In normal somatic cells, the telomeres shorten with each cell division.

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Each time a somatic cell undergoes cell division, the telomeres at the end of its chromosomes become slightly shorter. This is due to the inability of DNA polymerase to fully replicate the end of the chromosome, known as the telomere, which results in a loss of genetic material. As the telomeres continue to shorten, the cell eventually reaches a critical point where further division is no longer possible, triggering cellular senescence or programmed cell death. This is one of the reasons why aging is associated with a decline in tissue function, as the ability of cells to divide and replace damaged or dying cells is reduced.

In Normal Somatic Cells, the Telomeres Shorten with Each Cell