Cellular component

GO:0000784

The end of a linear chromosome, required for the integrity and maintenance of the end. A chromosome telomere usually includes a region of telomerase-encoded repeats the length of which rarely exceeds 20 bp each and that permits the formation of a telomeric loop (T-loop). The telomeric repeat region is usually preceded by a sub-telomeric region that is gene-poor but rich in repetitive elements. Some telomeres only consist of the latter part (for eg. D. melanogaster telomeres).

telomere

Note that this term can be used in place of the obsolete cellular component term 'telomere ; GO:0005696'. Use with caution because this term refers to a specific region of the chromosome and not a protein complex.