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Reference.org
Telomere
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<p>A telomere is a region of repetitive <a href="/facts/Nucleotide/pQKEwlJI">nucleotide</a> sequences associated with specialized proteins at the ends of linear <a href="/facts/Chromosome/FRGf11FC">chromosomes</a> (see Sequences). Telomeres are a widespread genetic feature most commonly found in <a href="/facts/Eukaryote/SkwyPLMA">eukaryotes</a>. In most, if not all species possessing them, they protect the terminal regions of <a href="/facts/DNA/nB89Iauz">chromosomal DNA</a> from progressive degradation and ensure the integrity of linear chromosomes by preventing <a href="/facts/DNA_repair/hsURuYYq">DNA repair</a> systems from mistaking the very ends of the DNA strand for a <a href="/facts/Double-strand_break/hsURuYYq">double-strand break</a>. </p>