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The Influence Of Telomeres

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Telomeres and ageing
Ageing is a natural process and it is relevant in both scientific and social aspects of life; understanding why and how ageing occurs is vital to gaining a greater insight into how organisms work. Looking at telomeres is one of the main ways to learn about ageing.

What are telomeres?
DNA is arranged into chromosomes which are found in the nucleus of all eukaryotic cells. The genes that are found on chromosomes code for proteins that are essential for organisms to survive, for example enzymes needed for metabolic processes such as respiration.
Telomeres are repeated sequences of bases at the ends of DNA strands (1) and are like the ends of shoelaces ‘because they keep chromosome ends from fraying and sticking to each other’ …show more content…

Bones become more visible as fewer fat cells are regenerated; and skin becomes more wrinkled due to thinning and loss of elasticity (5). When the telomeres get too short and reach a ‘critical length’ the chromosomes can no longer be replicated without the important DNA becoming damaged; therefore a signal is released into the cell to stop further divisions and the cell dies by apoptosis (3). As fewer cells are available to reproduce, it becomes difficult to defend and maintain the body.

Manipulation of telomerase
Telomeres could be seen as “anti-ageing” because they continue cell division so slow the ageing process. Theoretically telomerase could be used to combat somatic cell degradation, for example “anti-ageing” creams could be developed containing the enzyme in order to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Such products are at the moment neither widespread nor affordable; however there is a product called TA-65® (pictured right) that claims to “help maintain or rebuild telomeres” made by T.A. Sciences® (6), which shows that this area of DNA manipulation is being researched for cosmetic reasons.
Another potential use of telomerase is to mass produce cells for transplantation, for example to cure burns and diabetes. At the moment, however, the medical relevance of telomeres is still uncertain …show more content…

(n.d.) Are Telomeres The Key To Aging And Cancer? [Online] Available from: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/chromosomes/telomeres/ [Accessed 14/10/15]
(3) YOUR GENETICS. (2014) What is a telomere? [Online] Available from: http://www.yourgenome.org/facts/what-is-a-telomere [Accessed 14/10/15]
(4) SCIENCE STUDENT CENTER. (n.d.) Chapter 14: DNA: The Genetic Material: Telomerase Function [Online] Available from: http://highered.mheducation.com/sites/9834092339/student_view0/chapter14/telomerase_function.html [Accessed 14/10/15]
(5) SCIENCE MUSEUM. (n.d.) Who am I? [Online] Available from: http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/WhoAmI/FindOutMore/Yourbody/Whatisageing/Whathappensasyouage.aspx [Accessed 14/10/15]
(6) T.A. SCIENCES. (n.d.) What is TA-65®? [Online] Available from: https://www.tasciences.com/what-is-ta-65/ [Accessed 14/10/15]
(7) DISPENZA, DR J. (n.d.) Telomeres: What Does a Lobster Know That You Don’t Know? [Online] Available from: http://www.drjoedispenza.com/blog/general/telomeres-what-does-a-lobster-know-that-you-dont-know/ [Accessed 14/10/15]
(8) WIKIPEDIA. (Last modified 13/10/15) Ageing [Online] Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ageing [Accessed

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