Mitochondria's Role in Apoptosis
28 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the mitochondria commonly referred to as?

  • The protein powerhouse of the cell
  • The cell death regulator
  • The gene expression hub
  • The energy powerhouse of the cell (correct)

    • What is apoptosis defined as?

  • Unprogrammed cell death
  • Programmed cell death (correct)
  • Cellular differentiation
  • Cellular stress response

    • What is the main difference between apoptosis and necrosis?

  • Apoptosis occurs in embryological development, while necrosis does not
  • Apoptosis is controlled, while necrosis is uncontrolled (correct)
  • Apoptosis occurs in response to stress, while necrosis does not
  • Apoptosis is uncontrolled, while necrosis is controlled

    • What is an example of apoptosis in embryological development?

    <p>Development of the fingers and toes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the current state of research in understanding apoptosis and necrosis?

    <p>There is still active research to elucidate the mechanisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of apoptosis in the development of fingers and toes?

    <p>To allow for the formation of separate digits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of apoptosis in the development of hands?

    <p>The formation of a hand with five separated fingers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of necrosis?

    <p>It usually occurs in response to extreme stress</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the mitochondria in apoptosis?

    <p>To play a big role in inducing cell death</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can induce a cell to undergo apoptosis due to DNA damage?

    <p>Intensive DNA damage beyond repair capabilities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of cells recognize infected cells and send signals to induce apoptosis?

    <p>Immune cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is necessary for cells to continue surviving?

    <p>Signals that they are attached to other cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to oxygen during the electron transfer chain in the mitochondria?

    <p>It is partially reduced, leading to reactive oxygen species</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of molecules can induce cell death by sending signals to the cell?

    <p>Growth factors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of a cell losing connection to other cells?

    <p>Induction of apoptosis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of species is the superoxide anion?

    <p>Reactive oxygen species</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of apoptosis in embryological development?

    <p>To remove excess cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can reactive oxygen species do to a cell?

    <p>Induce cell death</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of antioxidant molecules in cells?

    <p>To trap reactive oxygen species and prevent oxidative damage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the BCL2 family of proteins in apoptosis?

    <p>To control the balance between pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of increasing the permeability of the outer mitochondrial membrane during apoptosis?

    <p>To allow cytochrome c to exit the intermembrane space and enter the cytoplasm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of cytochrome c in the electron transport chain?

    <p>It helps shuttle electrons between the third and fourth complex</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of caspases in apoptosis?

    <p>To break down proteins with a cysteine residue in its active site</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the key difference between apoptosis and necrosis in terms of mechanisms?

    <p>Apoptosis is caspase-mediated, while necrosis is not</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the protein family that regulates the permeability of the outer mitochondrial membrane?

    <p>BCL2 family of proteins</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of cytochrome c in apoptosis?

    <p>It activates caspases and initiates apoptosis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of the imbalance between pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins in the BCL2 family?

    <p>The mitochondria initiates apoptosis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the name 'caspase'?

    <p>It refers to the cysteine residue in its active site</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Mitochondria and Apoptosis

    • Mitochondria are commonly known as the energy powerhouse of the cell due to their role in metabolic pathways like the Krebs cycle and the electron transfer chain.
    • However, mitochondria also play a role in apoptosis, which is defined as programmed cell death.

    Apoptosis vs Necrosis

    • Apoptosis is a controlled type of cell death that usually has a purpose and confers an advantage to the organism.
    • Necrosis is an uncontrolled type of cell death that usually occurs in response to extreme stress, such as an extreme infection or trauma.
    • The distinction between apoptosis and necrosis can be unclear, and it's often said to lie along a spectrum between the two.

    Role of Mitochondria in Apoptosis

    • The mitochondria play a big role in apoptosis, particularly in the initiation of programmed cell death.
    • Mitochondria have two membranes: the outer membrane and the inner mitochondrial membrane.

    Factors that Induce Apoptosis

    • DNA damage can induce cell death, especially if the damage is intensive or the repair mechanisms are not equipped to deal with it.
    • Infection, especially by viruses, can induce programmed cell death.
    • Environmental stress, such as the deprivation of oxygen or nutrients, can also induce apoptosis.
    • The lack of cell-to-cell connections or growth factors can also trigger cell death.

    Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)

    • ROS are oxygen species that have acquired an unstable number of electrons, making them very reactive.
    • Examples of ROS include the superoxide anion, hydroxide radical, and hydrogen peroxide.
    • ROS can be formed inside cells as a byproduct of oxygen metabolism.
    • Cells have enzymes and antioxidant molecules to prevent unwanted reactions between ROS and important cell components.

    BCL2 Family of Proteins

    • The BCL2 family of proteins regulate the permeability of the outer mitochondrial membrane.
    • There are two types of proteins in this family: pro-apoptotic proteins that push the cell towards apoptosis, and anti-apoptotic proteins that oppose apoptosis.
    • When the cell is healthy, the balance of these proteins is in favor of the anti-apoptotic proteins, which prevent the mitochondria from initiating apoptosis.

    Cytochrome c and Caspases

    • Cytochrome c is a molecule normally found in the intermembrane space of the mitochondria.
    • When the outer mitochondrial membrane becomes more permeable, cytochrome c exits the intermembrane space and enters the cytoplasm.
    • Cytochrome c activates a family of enzymes called caspases, which are proteases that break down proteins.
    • Caspases have a controlled cascade of actions, activating other enzymes like nucleases that can break down DNA.
    • The eventual result is a large-scale degradation of polymers inside the cell.

    Characteristics of Apoptosis

    • Apoptosis is caspase-mediated, unlike necrosis.
    • The degradation of polymers inside the cell can be recycled by surrounding cells through phagocytosis, allowing them to reuse amino acids and nucleotide bases.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Description

    Learn about the mitochondria's function in programmed cell death, also known as apoptosis, and its significance in the cell. This quiz explores the role of mitochondria beyond its energy-producing abilities.

    More Like This

    Contactes entre Mitocondris i Reticle Endoplasmàtic
    9 questions

    Contactes entre Mitocondris i Reticle Endoplasmàtic

    InnocuousGrace avatar
    InnocuousGrace
    Mitochondria and Apoptosis
    6 questions

    Mitochondria and Apoptosis

    AngelicSitar avatar
    AngelicSitar
    Retta - L19
    78 questions

    Retta - L19

    DeadCheapSage avatar
    DeadCheapSage
    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser