Apoptosis is defined as?

Apoptosis is defined as programmed cell death, which is a highly regulated and controlled process that allows cells to self-destruct when they are no longer needed or are potentially harmful. This mechanism is crucial for maintaining the health of an organism by removing damaged or dysfunctional cells without causing an inflammatory response, which is often seen in necrosis, another form of cell death that occurs due to injury or stress.

During apoptosis, the cell undergoes a series of changes such as cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and DNA fragmentation, ultimately leading to the orderly dismantling and removal of cellular components by phagocytes. This plays a significant role in various biological processes, including development, immune system function, and the elimination of cells that have the potential to develop into cancer.

Understanding apoptosis helps in recognizing its importance in disease processes, particularly in cancer, where the normal apoptotic pathways may be disrupted, leading to uncontrolled cell growth. Thus, the definition of apoptosis as programmed cell death is central to many aspects of biology and medicine.