You identify a mutant whose chromosomes shorten after each round of replication. a mutation in which gene would explain this observation?

Telomerase is a mutation in which gene would explain this observation. Telomerase, also called terminal transferase, is a ribonucleoprotein that adds a species-dependent telomere repeat sequence to the 3' end of telomeres. A telomere is a region of repetitive sequences at each end of a eukaryotic chromosomes in most eukaryotes.

It allows water to resist freezing and thawing cycle.