Question

Natural killer cells can kill infected or abnormal cells by the release of ________, which form pores in the target cellʹs membrane.

A) fragmentins
B) interferons
C) antibodies
D) perforins
E) complement proteins

Answer 1

Natural killer cells can kill infected or abnormal cells by releasing perforins, which form pores in the target cell's membrane and trigger apoptosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

Natural killer cells can kill infected or abnormal cells by the release of perforins, which form pores in the target cell’s membrane. When the NK cell detects an infected or tumor cell, its cytoplasm secretes granules comprised of perforin, a destructive protein that creates a pore in the target cell. Granzymes, which are released along with the perforin, enter the cell through the pores and trigger apoptosis.