You place mammary gland epithelial cells in culture and then treat them with enzymes that digest the surrounding extracellular matrix. If extracellular matrix materials are then added back to the cells, what happens?
A)The cells continue to decline in secretory and synthetic activities.
B)The cells digest the extracellular materials through endocytosis.
C)The differentiated state of the cells is restored and the cells produce their usual products.
D)The cells die.
E)The cells become stem cells and differentiate into many different types.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Adding back extracellular matrix materials can help restore the differentiated state of the cells and bring them back to producing their usual products. This is because the extracellular matrix plays a crucial role in regulating the function and behavior of cells, including controlling their gene expression and signaling pathways. Digesting the extracellular matrix can disrupt these regulatory signals, but adding it back can help restore them.

You Place Mammary Gland Epithelial Cells in Culture and Then