Definition
Plain language
The protective cap on the end of a chromosome that shortens as cells divide.
As stated in the literature
Repetitive nucleoprotein structure at chromosome termini whose attrition is used, controversially, as a biomarker of cellular ageing.
Also called: telomeres
Why it matters: It is widely used as a stand-in for biological ageing, which makes it a magnet for studies whose conclusions outrun their evidence.
For example, researchers may measure these chromosome caps in blood samples and report that people under long-term stress have shorter ones.
Heard on the show
“Epel's telomere and life-stress study.”Episode 240 — Frontier Models Designed Follow-Ups To Fraudulent Papers 93% Of The Time