NUCLEAR CAP Meaning and
Definition
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Nuclear cap refers to the protective structure found at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes, specifically in the nuclei of cells. It can also be referred to as a telomere cap or terminal cap. The nuclear cap serves the vital function of safeguarding the integrity and stability of chromosomes during the replication and division process.
Comprised of repeated DNA sequences and associated proteins, the nuclear cap consists of a region of non-coding DNA that is rich in guanine (G) and thymine (T) nucleotides. This specific DNA composition aids in preventing degradation and loss of genetic material, and acts as a buffer to shield the active coding regions of chromosomes from wear and tear.
Furthermore, the nuclear cap plays a critical role in preserving the replicative potential of cells. With each round of DNA replication, a small portion of the cap is lost due to the gradual shortening of the telomere sequences. Eventually, when the nuclear cap becomes critically short, the cell reaches a state of senescence or is triggered into programmed cell death, known as apoptosis.
In summary, the nuclear cap, also known as the telomere cap, is a protective structure composed of specific DNA sequences and proteins found at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. It serves to maintain chromosome stability, prevent DNA degradation, and act as a molecular clock for cellular aging and viability.
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One of the tigroid masses of a nerve-cell which, shaped like a hollow cone, caps each pole of the nucleus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for NUCLEAR CAP
- buclear cap
- muclear cap
- juclear cap
- huclear cap
- nyclear cap
- nhclear cap
- njclear cap
- niclear cap
- n8clear cap
- n7clear cap
- nuxlear cap
- nuvlear cap
- nuflear cap
- nudlear cap
- nuckear cap
- nucpear cap
- nucoear cap
- nuclwar cap
- nuclsar cap
- nucldar cap
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