You place mammary gland epithelial cells in culture and then treat them with enzymes that digest the surrounding extracellular matrix. What happens?
A)The secretory and synthetic activities of the cells decrease.
B)The secretory and synthetic activities of the cells increase.
C)The cells die.
D)The cells differentiate.
E)The secretory and synthetic activities of the cells do not change.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides structural and biochemical support to surrounding cells. When mammary gland epithelial cells are stripped of the ECM by enzymatic digestion, their normal secretory and synthetic activities decrease because the ECM is crucial for providing signals that maintain these functions.

You Place Mammary Gland Epithelial Cells in Culture and Then