Question

Placing cartilage cells in culture and then treating them with enzymes that digest the surrounding ECM, researchers observed marked secretory and synthetic activities. After adding ECM material back into the dish 24 hours later, what happens?

1) The cartilage cells continue to exhibit secretory and synthetic activities
2) The cartilage cells stop exhibiting secretory and synthetic activities
3) The cartilage cells die
4) The cartilage cells undergo apoptosis

Answer 1

After adding extracellular matrix (ECM) material back into the dish 24 hours later, cartilage cells are likely to continue exhibiting secretory and synthetic activities, because ECM is crucial for chondrocyte function and maintenance.

Step-by-step explanation:

When cartilage cells are placed in culture and then treated with enzymes that digest the surrounding ECM (extracellular matrix), they begin to exhibit marked secretory and synthetic activities. However, after the addition of ECM material back into the dish 24 hours later, the likely outcome is that the cartilage cells would continue to exhibit secretory and synthetic activities, since the ECM provides a framework that allows for the growth and maintenance of cartilage tissue.

Cartilage is a type of connective tissue in which the chondrocytes (cartilage cells) are embedded in ECM that is rich in chondroitin sulfates and proteoglycans. ECM is essential for the proliferation and function of chondrocytes, as it provides the necessary support and signaling molecules. By reintroducing ECM into the culture, chondrocytes are likely to regain their normal physiology and continue their secretory and synthetic activities as they would in vivo.