Question

Which one of the following is a characteristic of apoptosis?

• A. Endocytosis
• B. Uncontrolled cell proliferation
• C. DNA fragmentation
• D. Cell migration

Hint:

Apoptosis is often identified experimentally by DNA laddering, which occurs due to fragmentation of DNA into nucleosomal units.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understand apoptosis.
Apoptosis is a programmed and regulated form of cell death that occurs naturally in multicellular organisms. It helps maintain tissue homeostasis and remove damaged or unwanted cells.

Step 2: Identify major features of apoptosis.
Typical characteristics of apoptosis include cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, membrane blebbing, and fragmentation of DNA into smaller pieces.

Step 3: Analyze option (A).
Endocytosis is the process by which cells internalize substances from the external environment. It is not a defining feature of apoptosis. Therefore, option (A) is incorrect.

Step 4: Analyze option (B).
Uncontrolled cell proliferation is associated with cancer and abnormal cell growth, not programmed cell death. Hence, option (B) is incorrect.

Step 5: Analyze option (C).
During apoptosis, specific enzymes called endonucleases cleave DNA at regular intervals, producing characteristic DNA fragmentation. Thus, option (C) is correct.

Step 6: Analyze option (D).
Cell migration refers to movement of cells from one location to another and is unrelated to the core mechanism of apoptosis. Therefore, option (D) is incorrect.

Step 7: Final conclusion.
Hence, DNA fragmentation is a characteristic feature of apoptosis.
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Therefore, the correct answer is option (C).