A child falls down and punctures his skin. What biological process must occur to repair the damaged skin?

Question

A child falls down and punctures his skin. What biological process must occur to repair the damaged skin??  
A. Glycolysis  
B. Cell respiration  
C. Gluconeogenesis  
D. Cell reproduction

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: (D)Cell reproduction. 
Rationale: The repair of damaged tissue fundamentally requires the generation of new cells to replace those that were lost or injured, which is achieved through cell reproduction (mitosis).Healing a skin wound involves the activation and proliferation of specific cell types like keratinocytes (in the epidermis) and fibroblasts (in the dermis). These cells must reproduce through mitosis to migrate into the wound site, fill the gap, and synthesize new extracellular matrix components. Angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels) also involves endothelial cell reproduction.A) GlycolysisGlycolysis is the metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose to produce ATP and pyruvate. It provides energy for all cellular activities, including those in highly active repair cells. While increased glycolysis may support the healing process, glycolysis itself is an energy-producing process that supports repair, not the reparative process itself.B) Cell respirationCellular respiration (including glycolysis, Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation) is the major pathway for ATP production. Like glycolysis, it supplies the chemical energy (ATP) required to fuel the intense biosynthetic activities of healing. It is a supporting process, providing energy currency, but not the actual mechanism of tissue regeneration.C) GluconeogenesisGluconeogenesis is the synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors like lactate and amino acids. It occurs primarily in the liver to maintain blood glucose levels during fasting or stress. While wound healing increases metabolic demand, the body typically meets this need through normal dietary intake and glycogen breakdown, not primarily through gluconeogenesis. This process is not directly involved in the cellular mechanisms of wound closure.D) Cell reproductionThe physical repair of damaged skin absolutely requires cell reproduction via mitosis. Stem cells and progenitor cells must proliferate to increase in number. These new cells migrate into the wound, synthesize new tissue, and restore the epidermal barrier and structural integrity. The production of new cellular material is the core biological process of physical repair.Conclusion:Healing a wound is an anabolic, reconstructive process. While energy metabolism (glycolysis and respiration) provides the essential fuel, and gluconeogenesis maintains glucose supply, the fundamental biological process required to generate new tissue is cell reproduction. This generates the new cells necessary to replace lost tissue and close the wound.

A child falls down and punctures his skin. What biological process must occur to repair the damaged skin?

A
Glycolysis

B
Cell respiration

C
Gluconeogenesis

D
Cell reproduction

The repair of damaged tissue fundamentally requires the generation of new cells to replace those that were lost or injured, which is achieved through cell reproduction (mitosis).

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Related Questions

A child falls down and punctures his skin. What biological process must occur to repair the damaged skin?

A Glycolysis B Cell respiration C Gluconeogenesis D Cell reproduction

The repair of damaged tissue fundamentally requires the generation of new cells to replace those that were lost or injured, which is achieved through cell reproduction (mitosis).

Topic Flashcards

Mini Quiz

Related Questions

A
Glycolysis

B
Cell respiration

C
Gluconeogenesis

D
Cell reproduction