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GATE 2024 BT Q.19: solution and answer

GATE 2024 · BTQ.19 · 1 mark · MCQ

During normal embryonic development of the mice paw, elimination of cells from the inter-digital space is due to ________.

  1. (A)

    apoptosis

  2. (B)

    meiosis

  3. (C)

    mutagenesis

  4. (D)

    necrosis

See the question in the paper
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Answer and solution

ANSWER

GATE BT 2024 Q.19: The correct answer is (A) apoptosis.

Official answer: ASource: Official answer key, GATE 2024 BT (IISc Bengaluru)

  1. Identify this as a developmental biology fact-recall question on limb/paw morphogenesis.

  2. (A) Apoptosis: programmed, regulated cell death is the established mechanism that sculpts individual digits by eliminating the interdigital webbing during normal embryonic limb development — correct.

  3. (B) Meiosis: a nuclear division process restricted to gamete formation; it has no role in somatic tissue remodeling or cell elimination — incorrect.

  4. (C) Mutagenesis: the induction of mutations in DNA; it is not a mechanism of cell elimination or tissue sculpting — incorrect.

  5. (D) Necrosis: unregulated, pathological cell death arising from injury or damage, accompanied by inflammation; it is not the clean, regulated process used in normal development — incorrect.

  6. Conclusion: only apoptosis correctly describes the normal, regulated developmental process that removes interdigital cells.

KEY IDEA

Digit individualization during limb development occurs by programmed cell death (apoptosis) of the interdigital mesenchyme/webbing, a classic, well-characterized example of developmental apoptosis (regulated by BMP signaling in the interdigital regions).

WATCH OUT FOR

Confusing apoptosis (programmed, regulated cell death used in developmental sculpting) with necrosis (unregulated, injury-induced cell death causing inflammation) — necrosis is never the mechanism of normal developmental tissue remodeling.

From the GATE 2024 BT paper. Every question of this paper · Download the full paper · All 15 Cell biology questions, with notes

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