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The mechanism of the ""lethal hit"" of cytotoxic T cells and NK cells involves a protein called perforin.

A. True
B. False

User Andy Burns
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Final answer:

The mechanism of the "lethal hit" of cytotoxic T cells and NK cells involves the protein perforin. Perforin forms pores in the target cell, allowing granzymes to enter and trigger apoptosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The mechanism of the "lethal hit" of cytotoxic T cells and NK cells involves a protein called perforin. Perforin is a destructive protein that creates pores in the target cell. When a cytotoxic T cell or NK cell detects an infected or tumor cell, it secretes granules comprised of perforin, which form pores in the cell membrane. This allows granzymes, protein-digesting enzymes, to enter the cell and trigger apoptosis, or programmed cell death.

User Mark Fraser
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