What structure does telomerase use to extend telomeres?

Telomerase extends telomeres using an RNA template. This specialized enzyme contains a small RNA molecule that serves as a template for the addition of DNA repeats to the ends of chromosomes. Telomeres are repetitive nucleotide sequences that protect chromosome ends from degradation and prevent them from being recognized as broken DNA. As chromosomes replicate, their ends can become shorter, which is associated with aging and cell division limits. Telomerase counteracts this shortening by using the RNA template to synthesize new telomeric DNA, effectively maintaining the length of telomeres in certain cell types, such as stem cells and germ cells. This mechanism is crucial for cellular replication and longevity.