Your 46 chromosomes are capped off on each end by telomeres, which protect the chromosome from deterioration or rearrangements while preserving the chromosome’s integrity during the DNA replication process. So far, so good.

These telomeres are composed of molecules called nucleotides.

During DNA replication, the telomere’s terminal end isn’t replicated, which results in a continual shortening.

Read the rest in the April 2012 issue of our E-News publication here.