Telomerase is reactivated in the majority of human cancers. The normal function of telomerase in germ cells and stem cells is to:

• A Repair double-strand DNA breaks
• B Remove mismatched bases during DNA replication
• C Add repetitive nucleotide sequences to chromosome ends ✓
• D Degrade cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors

Explanation

Telomerase adds TTAGGG repetitive sequences to telomeres, preventing progressive shortening with each cell division. Reactivation in cancer cells confers replicative immortality, a hallmark of cancer. Option A describes homologous recombination or non-homologous end joining. Option B describes mismatch repair. Option D is unrelated to telomerase function.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.