Former prisoners of war were observed to experience a shortening of telomeres indicative of

A) lung cancer.
B) heart disease.
C) a shorter life span.
D) an increased production of NK cells.

Telomeres

Protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with cell division and are associated with aging and cellular lifespan.

Prisoners of War

Individuals captured and held by an enemy during an armed conflict, who are entitled to certain rights under the Geneva Conventions.

Nk Cells

Natural Killer cells are a type of white blood cell that plays a significant role in the host-rejection of both tumors and virally infected cells.