Cell death by apoptosis.
Apoptosis has been the focus of considerable attention in recent years. Apoptosis/programmed cell death, is a morphologically distinct process of cell death in which cells die in a controlled manner, in response to specific stimuli, following an intrinsic programme. Apoptosis is a greek work which means "falling off", as of leaves from trees. So occurs in plants suggesting that apoptosis originated very early in biological evolution. This wide spread active process of self destruction is seen in a wide variety of tissues, and is an essential feature in both development and maintenance of multicellular animals. It is ascribed roles in the process of embryogenesis, differentiation, metamorphosis, neural development, epithelial turnover, aging, regulation of cell population of the immune system and tumor regression.
Singh
N
N
Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
Anand
S
S
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans