What is a telomere? dna polymerase cannot copy the end of the lagging strand of a linear chromosome. why not? how do some cells avoid the problem of telomere shortening?

Telomeres are the caps at the end of each strand of DNA that protect our chromosomes, like the plastic tips at the end of shoelaces.

Without the coating, shoelaces become frayed until they can no longer do their job, just as without telomeres, DNA strands become damaged and our cells can’t do their job.