Telomerase

- If chromosomes of germ cells became shorter in every cell cycle, essential genes would eventually be missing from the gametes they produce​ - An enzyme called telomerase catalyzes the lengthening of telomeres in germ cells​ - The shortening of telomeres might protect cells from cancerous growth by limiting the number of cell divisions​ - There is evidence of telomerase activity in cancer cells, which may allow cancer cells to persist​