Do telomeres lengthen with age?

For biology I have to make a work about the positive consequences of old fatherhood. In this topic I came across something in an article:

http://www.knack.be/nieuws/science/old-fathers-have-healthy-children/article-4000121958124.htm

In the same article they say that a small piece of the telomere dies with age and the cell dies. And they also say that because the sperm cells divide so quickly, the telomeres are worked harder and they lengthen with age. What is correct?

Kind regards, Laurenza

Asker: Lawrence, 17 years old

Answer

As cells age, telomeres shorten due to the action of telomerase.

Answered by

Mrs. Céline Christiaens

Molecular biology/biology/chemistry

Do telomeres lengthen with age?

University of West Flanders
Marksesteenweg 58 B-8500 Kortrijk
http://www.howest.be

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