Apoptosis: Programmed Cell Death

Apoptosis or programmed cell death is defined as a mechanism of cellular suicide which occurs after sufficient cellular damage. It is characteristically different from cell necrosis in morphology and biochemistry.

Apoptosis results in the condensation of the nuclues, and the cell shrinks. Visible in apoptotic cells is chromosomal fragmentation due to the controlled digestion of DNA by apoptosis DNAses. Cytoplasmic blebbing and apoptotic bodies are also seen during apoptosis.

The end result of apoptosis is cell death without inflammation of the surrounding tissue.