A research laboratory uses a cancer cell line that has undergone thousands of cell cycle divisions in the laboratory without any change in the length of its chromosomes.The cancer cell line is therefore likely to express
A) high levels of RNA polymerase.
B) very low levels of telomerase.
C) high levels of telomerase.
D) DNA polymerases with high fidelity.
E) high levels of ligase activity.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Telomerase is an enzyme that adds repetitive DNA sequences (known as telomeres) to the ends of chromosomes in order to prevent their deterioration and loss of genetic information during cell division. Normal body cells have limited telomerase activity, which leads to gradual telomere shortening and eventual cell death. However, cancer cells often have increased telomerase activity, which enables them to maintain their telomere length and undergo unlimited cell divisions. Therefore, it is likely that the cancer cell line in the research laboratory expresses high levels of telomerase.

A Research Laboratory Uses a Cancer Cell Line That Has