telomere

Definition / meaning of telomere

The ends of a chromosome. Each time a cell divides, the telomeres lose a small amount of DNA and become shorter. Over time, the chromosomes become damaged and the cells die. In cancer cells the telomeres do not get shorter, and may become longer, as the cells divide.

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Source(s):

The Web site of the National Cancer Institute (http://www.cancer.gov/)

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