Paneth cells – true isa)Rich in rough endoplasmic reticulumb)Hig...
Paneth cells are the most highly secretory of the four lineages of epithelial cells that form the intestinal mucosa. Their main function is to produce, package and export a variety of antimicrobial proteins and peptides including α-defensins, angiogenin-4, lysozyme and secretory phospholipase A2.the cells which are actively involved in protein synthesis contains more number of rough endoplasmic reticulum.
Paneth cells – true isa)Rich in rough endoplasmic reticulumb)Hig...
Understanding Paneth Cells
Paneth cells are specialized cells located in the intestinal crypts, primarily in the small intestine. They play a crucial role in maintaining gut health and immunity.
Rich in Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
- Paneth cells are indeed rich in rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), which is essential for their function.
- The abundance of RER indicates a high level of protein synthesis, particularly for secreting antimicrobial peptides and proteins.
High Zinc Content
- While Paneth cells do contain zinc, it is not their distinguishing feature. Zinc is important for various cellular functions but does not specifically characterize Paneth cells.
Foamy Cytoplasm
- The cytoplasm of Paneth cells may appear foamy due to the presence of secretory granules; however, this is not a definitive feature when compared to their overall function.
Numerous Lysozyme Granules
- Paneth cells are known to have granules containing lysozyme, an antimicrobial enzyme, but this is not as significant as their rich RER.
- The presence of lysozymes contributes to the innate immune function of the intestine, yet it does not overshadow the importance of the RER in their structure.
Conclusion
- The correct answer is option 'A' because the rich rough endoplasmic reticulum in Paneth cells supports their primary role in producing and secreting a variety of antimicrobial substances.
- This high level of protein synthesis is critical for their function in gut immunity, making option 'A' the most accurate statement regarding Paneth cells.