Biological Science (6th Edition)
Biological Science (6th Edition)
6th Edition
ISBN: 9780321976499
Author: Scott Freeman, Kim Quillin, Lizabeth Allison, Michael Black, Emily Taylor, Greg Podgorski, Jeff Carmichael
Publisher: PEARSON
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Chapter 21, Problem 1TYK

What is apoptosis?

a. an experimental technique used to kill specific cells

b. programmed cell death that is required for normal development

c. a pathological condition observed only in damaged or diseased organisms

d. a developmental mechanism unique to the roundworm C. elegans

Expert Solution & Answer
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Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Usually, cells produce signals that trigger them to differentiate and divide. Apoptosis is a phenomenon that occurs in multicellular organisms in a programmed and controlled manner, where cells die as a result of a signal triggering death.

Answer to Problem 1TYK

Correct answer:

Apoptosis is defined as the process where the cell death is already programmed, which is a controlled and normal process.

Explanation of Solution

Explanation/Justification for the correct answer:

Option (b) is given that apoptosis is programmed cell death, which is necessary and is carried out for normal development of the organism. It is a programmed process and is highly regulated for normal functioning of body and immune cells and normal cell turnover. Hence, Option (b) is correct.

Explanation for incorrect answers:

Option (a) is given that apoptosis is an experimental technique used to kill specific cells. The apoptosis is not an experimental technique used to kill only specific cells; instead, it is a programmed process and is carried out by most of the normal cells. So, it is a wrong answer.

Option (c) is given that apoptosis is a pathological condition observed only in the damaged or diseased organism. The apoptosis is not a pathological condition observed in diseased tissue and has a controlled mechanism. So, it is a wrong answer.

Option (d) is given that apoptosis is a developmental mechanism unique to the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans. Caenorhabditis elegans is a pseudocoelomate, which lacks a circulatory and a respiratory system. The apoptosis process is not a developmental mechanism of Caenorhabditis elegans. So, it is a wrong answer.

Hence, options (a), (c), and (d) are incorrect.

Conclusion

Thus, apoptosis is the programmed cell death in an organism.

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Students have asked these similar questions
Why is it easier to manipulate embryonic stem cells to differentiate into various tissues than it is to manipulate a typical adult cell?   a. As cells develop, signaling pathways can cause some genes to be turned off during development.   b. Adult cells have different DNA content than do embryonic stem cells.   c. Emybronic stem cells pose less of a threat for organ rejection as do an individual s own adult cells.   d. It is no easier to manipulate emybronic stem cells to differentiate into various tissues than it is to manipulate a typical adult cell.
Which of the following correctly explains how gene expression can change in a differentiating cell in an animal embryo?A. DNA methylation triggered by apoptosis leads to suppression of some genes and expression of others.B. Presence of germ layers trigger hormonal release from endocrine glands, signaling to certain cells to express genes.C. Cell signals through plasmodesmata allow coordination of cellular activities and cell differentiation.D. Cues from the cytoplasm and from surrounding cells can induce changes in gene expression.
What is differentiation? A. When a cell switches from its original purpose B. The process of multiplying the cells in the body C. The process by which cells become specialized in their form to aid in their function D. How cells grow once their place in the body has been decided
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