Telomere

Telomeres are protective caps located at the ends of our chromosomes, which are the structures that contain our genetic material. They help prevent the chromosome ends from fraying or sticking to each other, much like the plastic tips on shoelaces. Each time a cell divides, these telomeres shorten a little. Eventually, when they become too short, the cell can no longer divide properly, which contributes to aging and limits the lifespan of cells. Telomeres play a crucial role in cellular health and are a key focus in research related to aging and diseases like cancer.