Telomerase is an enzyme that stops telomeres from becoming shorter. It is absent from most normal cells, but it is active in an estimated 85% to 95% of human tumour cells. Which statement explains the effect of telomerase on human tumour cells?
- ATelomerase triggers a self-destruct process, known as apoptosis, ending the life of the cell.
- BTelomerase damages the chromosomes so they become genetically unstable and are unable to replicate and divide.
- CTelomerase helps human tumour cells avoid senescence, or cell death, which is usually the expected consequence of repeated cell division.
- DTelomerase enables the human tumour cells to divide more rapidly by reducing the time taken for a complete mitotic cell cycle.