The event of the plastic cap coming off the laces on old tennis shoes, leading to unraveling and overall less function, is a good analogy for what genetic element that underlies age-related decline?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Telomeres, like the plastic caps on shoelaces, protect the ends of chromosomes from deteriorating or fusing with neighboring chromosomes. As cells divide, telomeres shorten, which is associated with aging and age-related decline.

The Event of the Plastic Cap Coming Off the Laces