Autophagy is primarily a destructive process with no role in cell survival.

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Examining the statement about autophagy, let's break down what autophagy actually does and under what circumstances it operates.
Option assessment:
- The claim that autophagy is 'primarily a destructive process with no role in cell survival' asserts that its only function is destruction and neglects any protective or maintenance roles. In reality, autophagy is a regulated catabolic process that degrades and recycles cellular components, and it is widely recognized for promoting cell survival during nutrient deprivation, stress, and damaged organelle turnover. This makes the statement misleading in its absoluteness.
- A second consideration is that autophagy provides quality control by clearing damaged mitochondria (mitophagy) and misfolded proteins, which helps maintain cellular homeostasis. This is another clear example of a pro-survival function, not a purely destructive one.
- While autophagy can contribute to cell death in certain contexts, such as excessive or prolonged activation or in concert with other death pathways, it is not accurate to describe it as 'primarily destructive' with no role in survival. The balance depends on context, extent, and cellular state.
- The falsehood of the statement also hinges on the nuanced role of autophagy in disease and physiology. It supports adaptation, longevity, immune responses, and clearance of damaged components, illustrating protective and maintenance functions beyond mere destruction.
In sum, the assertion overgeneralizes autophagy's function by privileging destruction and ignoring its well-established roles in promoting cell survival, homeostasis, and quality control. The true understanding acknowledges both its degradative capacity and its critical contributions to cellular resilience under stress.

2261 BIOSC 1500 SEC1030 Cell Bio 1500'25 first midterm, 75 min version

Autophagy is primarily a destructive process with no role in cell survival.

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