Molecular Basis of Inheritance Question 86

86. One function of the telomeres in a chromosome is to

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(a) indentify the correct number of the homologous pair of chromosomes

(b) help two chromatids to move towards poles

(c) “seal” the ends of chromosomes

(d) start RNA synthesis

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Answer : c

Hints & Solution

(c) The telomere is a region of repetitive nucleotide sequences at each end of a chromosome which acts to protect the terminal ends of chromosomes. This prevents chromosomal disintegration and prevents the ends of the chromosome from being processed as a double strand DNA break, which could lead to chromosome-to-chromosome telomere fusions.