Final answer:
The question relates to the biological process of apoptosis, where initiator caspases (e.g., caspases 8 and 9) activate effector caspases (e.g., caspase 3, 6, and 7) to carry out cell death.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question is apoptosis, a process of programmed cell death that occurs in multicellular organisms. In the context of apoptosis, initiator caspases such as caspases 8 and 9 are responsible for triggering a cascade that activates effector caspases like caspase 3, 6, and 7. These effector caspases then proceed to cleave cellular proteins, leading to the systematic dismantling and eventual death of the cell. This is a crucial biological process that helps maintain the health and equilibrium of organisms by removing cells that are no longer needed or are malfunctioning.
Therefore, you can fill in the blanks with: Initiator caspases (like caspases 8 and 9) activate effector caspases (such as caspase 3, 6, and 7).