If you treated a macrophage with colchicine (a microtubular assembly inhibitor), what would likely happen to the rate of phagocytosis? What would likely happen to the rate of phagocytosis if you treated the macrophage with cytochalain B (an inhibitor of microfilament contractile activities)?
A)Nothing would happen after colchicine exposure. The rate would rise after cytochalasin B exposure
B)The rate would drop after colchicine exposure. Nothing would happen after cytochalasin B exposure.
C)Nothing would happen after colchicine exposure. The rate would drop after cytochalasin B exposure.
D)The rate would rise after colchicine exposure. Nothing would happen after cytochalasin B exposure.
E)Nothing would happen after treatment with either inhibitor.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Microfilaments, not microtubules, play a crucial role in the process of phagocytosis by enabling the movement and engulfment of particles. Cytochalasin B inhibits microfilament function, thus impairing phagocytosis. Colchicine affects microtubules, which are less directly involved in phagocytosis, so its impact on phagocytosis would be minimal or none.

If You Treated a Macrophage with Colchicine (A Microtubular Assembly