telomeres
DNA strand endpoints
Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes, often compared to the plastic tips on shoelaces.
They prevent chromosomes from fraying or fusing with neighboring chromosomes during cell division.
Telomeres shorten each time a cell divides, and their progressive shortening is associated with aging and cellular senescence.
Researchers study telomere length as a marker of biological age.
Gradual functional decline with age
- biological ageBody's functional maturity level
- shorteningReducing length or duration
- attritionGradual reduction through loss
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
age-related decline · chronological age · wear and tear · degradation · erosion · mortality · lifespan · healthspan
Gene-bearing nuclear structures
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- telomeraseChromosome-tip lengthening enzyme
- nucleotidesDNA and RNA subunits
- DNA polymeraseEnzyme that copies chromosomes
Nuclear division producing identical cells
- cell cycleReplication process of cells
- replicationAct of duplicating precisely
- cytokinesisCytoplasmic division after mitosis
- daughter cellsCells from division
proliferation · immortalization · crisis · checkpoint · quiescence · stem cells
Body's functional maturity level
- methylationAttaching a methyl group
- epigeneticsHeritable expression changes, sequence intact
- FISHChromosome sequence visualization method
- blood testDiagnostic fluid analysis
Uncontrolled cell proliferation disease
- bone marrow failureBlood cell production ceases
- immunodeficiencyWeakened disease-fighting capacity
- carcinogenesisMalignant transformation process
- leukemiaMalignancy of blood-forming tissues
senescence
Gradual functional decline with age
- biological ageBody's functional maturity level
- shorteningReducing length or duration
- attritionGradual reduction through loss
deterioration · age-related decline · chronological age · wear and tear · degradation · erosion · mortality · lifespan · healthspan · progeria
chromosomes
Gene-bearing nuclear structures
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- telomeraseChromosome-tip lengthening enzyme
- nucleotidesDNA and RNA subunits
mitosis
Nuclear division producing identical cells
- cell cycleReplication process of cells
- replicationAct of duplicating precisely
- cytokinesisCytoplasmic division after mitosis
daughter cells · proliferation · immortalization · crisis · checkpoint · quiescence · stem cells
biological age
Body's functional maturity level
- methylationAttaching a methyl group
- epigeneticsHeritable expression changes, sequence intact
- FISHChromosome sequence visualization method
blood test · saliva test · diagnostic tool · clinical assessment
cancer
Uncontrolled cell proliferation disease
- bone marrow failureBlood cell production ceases
- immunodeficiencyWeakened disease-fighting capacity
- carcinogenesisMalignant transformation process
capping
Setting an upper limit
- buffer zoneNeutral area between rivals
- growthgrowth, grow, growing, growth rate, increase
- agingaging process, aging body, biological age, aging workforce, aging parents
- cell biologycell membrane, cell division, cytoplasm, ribosome, mitochondria
- geneticsDNA, allele, genotype, genes, gene
- longevitylifespan, life expectancy, healthspan, centenarian, supercentenarian
- Cell Nucleusnucleus, nucleolus, nuclear envelope, nuclear membrane, chromatin