What Are Telomeres and Why Are They Important to You?

What Are Telomeres and Why Are They Important to You? By Jan Cullinane NABBW\’s  Expert on The New Retirement You probably recall from basic Biology that our genetic material is called DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid).  At the end of our DNA strands (called chromosomes) there are little caps – sort of  like the plastic tips at the end of our shoelaces –  that protect our chromosomes from fraying and deteriorating.  These are called telomeres. (See the yellow tips in the graphic below.) Every time a body cell divides it needs to make another complete copy of its DNA, and when... Read More