What nucleic acid group does telomerase possess that allows it to bind to the flanking 3' end of the telomere?

• A. DNA primer
• B. RNA template
• C. Protein enzyme
• D. Lipid tail

Answer: (B)

Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein that carries its own RNA component, which serves as a template for extending telomeres. That RNA template provides the sequence that will be copied onto the chromosome end, allowing telomerase to add telomeric repeats to the 3' end. The RNA template enables base pairing with the existing telomere overhang and directs the reverse transcription carried out by the TERT protein, effectively lengthening the chromosome end. This built-in RNA template means there’s no need for a separate DNA primer, which is why the RNA template is the correct choice. Lipid tails are not involved in this process, and while the protein component provides the catalytic activity, the question specifically highlights the nucleic acid group that enables binding and templating.