Question

Which of the following is TRUE about cytokines?

A. They play an important role in immunity, but do not affect stem cell growth.
B. They are carbohydrates.
C. They play a role in the growth of stem cells, but are not important in immunity.
D. They are proteins that play an important role in immunity and the growth of stem cells.

Answer 1

Cytokines are proteins that are integral to the immune system and stem cell growth, acting as chemical messengers between cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the options provided about cytokines, the statement that is TRUE is: D. They are proteins that play an important role in immunity and the growth of stem cells. Cytokines are critical to the body's immune response, as they are chemical messengers that regulate cell differentiation, proliferation, gene expression, and cell trafficking to affect immune responses.

They are secreted by a variety of cells, including but not limited to leukocytes, macrophages, and endothelial cells. These cytokines include colony-stimulating factors and interleukins, both vital for the function and communication within the immune system as well as for hematopoiesis—the production of blood cells and platelets. The correct option is D. They are proteins that play an important role in immunity and the growth of stem cells.