Which statement accurately describes cancer cells regarding telomeres?

Cancer cells are known for their ability to divide unchecked and can evade the normal cellular mechanisms that limit cell proliferation. One crucial aspect of this phenomenon relates to telomeres, which are repetitive nucleotide sequences at the ends of chromosomes that protect them from degradation during cell division. Each time a normal somatic cell divides, its telomeres shorten, which eventually leads to replicative senescence—a state where the cell can no longer divide.

In many cancer cells, however, telomerase, an enzyme that adds telomeric repeats to the ends of chromosomes, is reactivated. This reactivation allows cancer cells to maintain their telomeres, thus avoiding the shortening that normally occurs with each cell division. By preserving their telomeres, cancer cells can continue to replicate beyond the normal limit, contributing to their uncontrolled growth and proliferation.

Therefore, the accurate description of cancer cells regarding telomeres highlights their ability to maintain telomere length by reactivating telomerase, a critical factor that enables the survival and continued division of cancer cells. This capability to bypass the usual limitations imposed by telomere shortening is a hallmark of many cancers.