The important role that intermediate filaments play in the epithelial cells of the skin is evident in which of the following?
A)Individual keratin filaments span the cell membrane and directly connect one cell to the next.
B)Knockout mice for a keratin gene like K14 exhibit stronger skin that can withstand abrasion.
C)The polarity of keratin filaments allows them to withstand shear stress.
D)Patients with mutations in keratin genes exhibit skin problems.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Patients with mutations in keratin genes, which code for intermediate filaments, exhibit skin problems such as epidermolysis bullosa simplex, which is characterized by the formation of blisters on the skin due to weakened cell-cell adhesion. This highlights the important role played by intermediate filaments in maintaining the structural integrity of epithelial cells in the skin. Options A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not accurately describe the role of intermediate filaments in epithelial cells.

The Important Role That Intermediate Filaments Play in the Epithelial