Final answer:
Bax and Bak are pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins that form channels in the mitochondrial outer membrane to release cytochrome C, triggering the caspase cascade and leading to apoptosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins Bax and Bak play a critical role in mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP), which is a key event in apoptosis. These proteins are part of the Bcl-2 family and are known as pro-apoptotic members.
When apoptotic signals are received, Bax and Bak oligomerize and form channels in the mitochondrial outer membrane. This allows for the release of cytochrome C into the cytoplasm, a key step in the apoptosis cascade. The released cytochrome C binds to adaptor proteins and forms a complex that activates procaspases to caspases, the proteolytic enzymes responsible for the degradation of cellular components and the execution of apoptosis.