Final answer:
The false statement regarding type I interferons is that they induce lysis of extracellular bacteria. Type I interferons function mainly against viral infections, by initiating antiviral responses and activating immune cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement regarding type I interferons (IFNs) that is false is: "induce lysis of extracellular bacteria."
Type I interferons are a group of cytokines that play a critical role in the body's defense against viral infections. They do not directly cause lysis of extracellular bacteria; rather, their functions predominantly involve antiviral responses.
Type I interferons induce cellular genes that destroy viral RNA, inhibit protein synthesis, protect uninfected neighboring cells, and activate NK cells. They work by signaling neighboring uninfected cells to destroy RNA, reduce protein synthesis, induce apoptosis in infected cells, and activate immune cells such as NK cells and macrophages.