Cell cycle and apoptosis · USMLE Step 1

Which apoptosis pathway is initiated by extracellular ligands binding to specialized receptors on the target cell membrane?

  1. Intrinsic (mitochondrial) pathway
  2. Autophagy pathway
  3. Extrinsic (death receptor) pathway
  4. Necroptosis pathway
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Correct answer: Extrinsic (death receptor) pathway

The extrinsic pathway of apoptosis is activated when death ligands (e.g., Fas ligand) bind to death receptors on the cell membrane, triggering a cascade that activates caspases and leads to programmed cell death.

Difficulty: Medium Question 9 of 19

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