A Level Biology Practice Exam

Which component is a key part of apoptosis?

1. Cell proliferation

2. Cell growth

3. Cell death

4. Cell differentiation

The correct answer is: Cell death

The correct answer is Cell death. Apoptosis is a programmed and controlled process of cell death that is crucial for maintaining the health of an organism. It allows the body to remove damaged or unwanted cells without causing inflammation or harm to surrounding tissues. This process is fundamental in various physiological processes, including development, immune responses, and the elimination of potentially cancerous cells. Cell proliferation, cell growth, and cell differentiation are important biological processes but are not directly involved in apoptosis. Proliferation refers to the increase in the number of cells, growth denotes the increase in cell size and mass, and differentiation is the process by which a cell becomes specialized for a particular function. In contrast, the hallmark of apoptosis is the systematic dismantling of cellular components leading to cell death.