Which answer best describes the role of telomerase in replicating the ends of linear chromosomes?
A) It adds a 5' cap structure to the chromosome ends that resists degradation by nucleases.
B) It causes specific double-strand DNA breaks that result in blunt ends on both strands.
C) It catalyzes the lengthening of telomeres, compensating for the shortening that could occur during replication without telomerase activity.
D) It adds numerous GC pairs, which resist hydrolysis and maintain chromosome integrity.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Telomerase catalyzes the addition of repetitive nucleotide sequences to the ends of chromosomes (telomeres), compensating for the shortening that naturally occurs during DNA replication. This is crucial for the maintenance of chromosome length and integrity, especially in germ cells, stem cells, and some cancer cells.

Which Answer Best Describes the Role of Telomerase in Replicating