The telomeres of eukaryotic chromosomes consist of short sequences of

Options

A. thymine rich repeats
B. cytosine rich repeats
C. adenine rich repeats
D. guanine rich repeats

Explanation

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Telomeres**:
- Telomeres are specialized structures located at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. They play a crucial role in protecting the chromosome ends from deterioration or fusion with neighboring chromosomes.

2. **Composition of Telomeres**:
- The telomeres consist of repetitive nucleotide sequences. In most eukaryotic organisms, these sequences are rich in guanine.

3. **Guanine-Rich Repetitive Sequences**:
- The specific sequences found in telomeres are typically short, repetitive sequences that are rich in guanine. These sequences form a three-prime (3') single-stranded overhang, which is crucial for the telomere's function.

4. **Role of Telomerase**:
- Telomerase is an enzyme that adds these guanine-rich sequences to the telomeres. It uses a small RNA template within its structure to extend the telomere length, ensuring that the chromosome remains intact during cell division.

5. **Importance of Telomeres**:
- Without telomeres, the ends of linear chromosomes would be vulnerable to damage, leading to genomic instability. Telomeres are essential for maintaining the integrity of genetic information during cell replication.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that the telomeres of eukaryotic chromosomes consist of short sequences that are rich in guanine.