Final answer:
In cell maintenance, certain proteins act by inhibiting apoptosis to promote cell survival.
Step-by-step explanation:
Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that plays a crucial role in cell maintenance. It is a process in which cells self-destruct in a controlled manner. Inhibiting apoptosis can occur through the action of certain proteins, such as the Bcl2 family of proteins, which prevent the release of cytochrome C and the initiation of apoptotic pathways.
By blocking apoptosis, these proteins help to maintain cell survival and inhibit the death of cells. For example, the Bcl2 proteins Bak and Bax are outer mitochondrial membrane components that, when signaled, prevent the release of cytochrome C into the cytoplasm, thus inhibiting the progression of apoptosis.