7. What is the role of cytochrome c release during intrinsic apoptosis?
(A) It binds directly to pro-caspase-3, causing its activation.
(B) It neutralizes IAP proteins like XIAP, freeing caspases from inhibition.
(C) It released proteases from the mitochondria to cleave protein targets.
(D) It permeabilizes the mitochondrial inner membrane, causing a loss of ATP production.
(E) It triggers the formation of the apoptosome with APAF-1, which then activates caspase-9.