Telomeres, also known as the “biological clock” are the reason why humans age. In order to understand how Telomeres work, we must go back a step further and understand how the DNA structure works.
DNA is a double stranded helix that contains our genetic information; meaning it makes us who we are. The double stranded helix is called chromosomes. In order to complete the DNA structure, each double stranded helix contains nucleotides which base pair with the complimentary nucleotides on the other strand. DNA is constantly replicating, and at the end of each replication cycle are telomeres; sections of the DNA that repeat the sequence.
With each replication of DNA, the telomeres shorten, therefore causing humans to age. Because our cells are replicated so often, they eventually get too short to replicate any further and die. Telomere lenght testing is provided in our Beverly Hills clinic.