Question

Diseased animal cells may produce molecules that

activate death cascades to kill the cells in a controlled manner. Why would neighboring healthy cells also die?

a. The death molecule is passed through

desmosomes.

b. The death molecule is passed through

plasmodesmata

c. The death molecule disrupts the extracellular matrix.

d. The death molecule passes through gap junctions.

Short answer

Diseased animal cells may produce molecules that activate death cascades to kill the cells in a controlled manner while doing this the neighboring cells also die because the death molecule passes through gap junctions.

Step-by-step solution

Explanation

Because the plasma membrane's coherence would connect to the intermediate filaments, providing a link between adjacent epithelial cells, the idea that the death molecule would be delivered through desmosomes would be incorrect in this situation.

Plasmodesmata are only present in cells so this option is out of context and incorrect

The molecule cannot spread to adjacent cells because the extracellular matrix has been disrupted. It has the ability to spread uncontrollably to other cells, hence making this option incorrect.

This is the correct option as gap junctions are channels that connect two animal cells, allowing nutrients, ions, and low molecular weight molecules to flow freely between them and allowing the cells to communicate in a controlled manner.

Conclusion

Gap junction has an important role in transporting ions and molecules in adjacent cells, hence even healthy cells get affected.