Question

A researcher is studying a population of mutant fibroblasts that fail to flatten and attach to extracellular matrix proteins on a flat surface. This is likely the result of mutations in genes encoding:__________

Answer 1

Answer: Components of cell junctions

Explanation:

Fibroblasts are cells located in the dermis, responsible for the formation and remodeling of tissue. They synthesize fibers and maintains the extracellular matrix of the tissue of animals. So, the extracellular matrix is a structurally complex entity that surrounds and supports the cells found in tissues.

A cell junction a structure that exists within the tissues of animals and they consist of protein complexes that provide contact between cells or between a cell and the extracellular matrix. So if the cells do not appear flattened and do not attach to the extracellular matrix, then there is a problem with the components of cell junctions, which are mostly proteins as it was said before. And since proteins are coded by genetic information stored in DNA, then if there is a mutation in any of those genes, the fibroblast will fail to attach because the protein of the cell junction will be abnormal.