Final answer:
Death receptors involved in the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis include members of the TNF receptor superfamily such as TRAIL-R1/DR4, TRAIL-R2/DR5, and Fas (CD95), which activate caspases that lead to cell death.
Step-by-step explanation:
The death receptors involved in the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis are members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor gene superfamily. These receptors include TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptors (TRAIL-R1/DR4 and TRAIL-R2/DR5) and Fas (CD95).
When these receptors are activated by their respective ligands, they trigger a cascade of events leading to the activation of caspases, which are proteolytic enzymes like caspase-8 and caspase-3. These caspases play a crucial role in apoptosis by digesting cellular proteins, ultimately leading to cell death. The extrinsic pathway is also known as the death receptor pathway and is one of two main pathways that can initiate apoptosis, with the other being the intrinsic or mitochondrial pathway.