Answer:
Telomeres are specialized DNA structures that are present at the end of each chromosome. They protect chromosomes from fusing together as well as from shortening. This maintains the stability of a cell as well as protecting its healthy function. Without these protective caps, chromosomes will lose their integrity and begin to lose their function. The cell would either arrest its cell cycle, also known as senescence, in order to prevent multiplication of defective chromosomes, die, or mutations will occur in the chromosome.