A replication error results in a zygote that has inactive telomerase, which of the following characteristics would you expect to see in the organism that develops?
A) a high probability of somatic cells becoming cancerous
B) an inability to produce Okazaki fragments
C) an inability to repair thymine dimers
D) a reduction in chromosome length in gametes

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Telomerase is responsible for maintaining the length of telomeres, which are the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. Without active telomerase, telomeres shorten with each cell division, leading to a reduction in chromosome length over time. This effect would be particularly noticeable in cells that divide frequently, such as those involved in gamete production.

A Replication Error Results in a Zygote That Has Inactive