Question

Investigators interested in studying the activation of apoptosis inject cytochrome c into the cytosol of two types of mammalian cells: cells that are normal and cells in which Bak and Bax have been inactivated by mutation.
How would these cells be predicted to respond?

Answer 1

Answer: Both cell types will undergo apoptosis

Explanation:

cytochrome C functions in the mitochondria and plays an important role in the synthesis of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). When a cell receives an apoptosis stimulus Cytochrome C is released from the mitochondria into the cystol to activate caspase cascade thereby committing the cell to the death process. Cytochrome C triggers programmed cell death through apoptosis. Cytochrome C release is caused by swelling of the mitochondrial matrix.