Biological Science (7th Edition)
Biological Science (7th Edition)
7th Edition
ISBN: 9780134678320
Author: Scott Freeman, Kim Quillin, Lizabeth Allison, Michael Black, Greg Podgorski, Emily Taylor, 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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