Apoptosis define apoptosis and give examples of when it occu

Apoptosis: define apoptosis and give examples of when it occurs. Explain the process that occurs within the cell and how it differs from necrosis.

Solution

Apoptosis is also known as programmed cell death, when cells are no longer needed, they commit suicide by activating an intracellular death program. This process is therefore called programmed cell death.

When a cell is compelled to commit suicide, proteins called caspases go into action. They break down the cellular components needed for survival, and they spur production of enzymes known as DNases, which destroy the DNA in the nucleus of the cell. The apoptosis in the cell includes the following steps:

Example of apoptosis are: removal of cancer cells by apoptosis, cells of immune system such as phagocytes, the resorption of the tadpole tail etc

Necrosis occurs when cells die accidentally due to, trauma or injury, or lack of nutrients. It begins with cell swelling, after which the chromatin gets digested, and the plasma and organelle membranes are disrupted, the endoplasmic reticulum vacuolizes, the organelles break down completely and finally the cell lyses.