During the execution phase of apoptosis, which enzymes are responsible for the deliberate proteolysis of cellular components?
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Correct answer: Executioner caspases
Caspases are cysteine-aspartic proteases that exist as inactive zymogens. Once activated, executioner caspases (like caspase-3) cleave key structural and regulatory proteins, leading to systematic cell death.
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More Apoptosis and Its Significance questions
- What is the biological significance of apoptosis during vertebrate limb development?
- The release of which molecule from the mitochondria is required to form the apoptosome in the cytosol?
- Which of the following best describes 'DNA laddering' observed in apoptotic cells?
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- Which phospholipid moves from the inner to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane, acting as an 'eat-me' signal for phagocytes?
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