What is apoptosis?

Apoptosis is specifically defined as a mechanism for programmed cell death, which is vital for maintaining homeostasis in multicellular organisms. It is a highly regulated process that allows cells to die in a controlled manner without causing harm to surrounding tissues. This process is crucial during development, tissue remodeling, and the elimination of damaged or potentially harmful cells, such as those that may cause cancer.

During apoptosis, cells undergo characteristic morphological changes, including cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and fragmentation of the nucleus and cytoplasm into apoptotic bodies that are later cleared by phagocytosis. This contrasts with necrosis, which is an uncontrolled form of cell death that typically results in inflammation and damage to surrounding tissue. By effectively removing unneeded or dangerous cells, apoptosis plays a key role in maintaining the health and function of an organism’s tissues.