Question

Which of the following statements is false? Choose one: A. Some Bcl2 family members promote apoptosis, whereas others inhibit apoptosis. B. Bax and Bak are death-promoting members of the Bcl2 family that induce the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol. C. Some death-inhibiting members of the Bcl2 family inhibit apoptosis by blocking cytochrome c release from mitochondria. D. The death-promoting members of the Bcl2 family include Bcl2 itself.

Answer 1

Answer: The statement that is FALSE is D (The death-promoting members of the Bcl2 family include Bcl2 itself.)

Explanation:

Apoptosis is a process found in multicellular organisms whereby cells follows a order of events which eventually leads to their death without releasing harmful substances into the surrounding area of the cells. Through this process, old cells, unnecessary cells, and unhealthy cells are eliminated from the body.

The process of apoptosis can be regulated by cell regulator proteins such as Bcl-2 family.

Bcl-2 stands for B-cell lymphoma 2 which are encoded in human cells by BCL2 gene. The Bcl-2 family are capable of regulating apoptosis by either inducing it or inhibiting it.

Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL, PREVENT apoptosis by preventing the release of mitochondrial apoptogenic factors such as cytochrome c and AIF (apoptosis-inducing factor) into the cytoplasm

Part of the Bcl-2 family is the Bax and Bak and they are the core regulators of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. They PROMOTE apoptosis by inducing the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol. Therefore, the death-promoting members of the Bcl2 family does not include Bcl2 itself.