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apoptosis

apoptosis

4 7.4
A controlled process in which a cell dies on purpose to remove damaged or extra cells
  • noun
  • /ˌæpəʊˈtoʊsɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : apoptosis
  • Together, the BH3 domain and caspase-cleavage sites provide a direct mechanistic link to apoptosis and cell death.
  • induce apoptosis
  • cell apoptosis
  • death by apoptosis

Now if you have a healthy cell with those errors, apoptosis should kick in.

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Examples

  • Simvastatin inhibits hippocampal cell apoptosis. Reducing the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons is a key requirement of therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease.

    Academic text (2018)
  • Most BCCs progress slowly because of apoptosis taking place in tumor cells.

    Academic text (2017)
  • In fact, one study found it causes something called apoptosis of cancer cells, which means it it programs cancer cells to die.

  • Now if you have a healthy cell with those errors, apoptosis should kick in.

  • So there's a signal and that leads to apoptosis and death.

  • So negative selection is mediated by apoptosis and cell death.

  • Drug companies are now racing to develop drugs that block apoptosis or stop the opening of the pores.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Collectively, these previous data suggest that apoptosis is associated with the complex etiology, pathogenesis, and progression of Alzheimer's disease.

    Academic text (2018)
  • A hallmark of apoptosis is the activation of caspases, including the executioner/effector caspase 3.

    Academic text (2018)
  • Apoptosis is crucial for maintaining healthy cell populations by eliminating damaged or unnecessary cells.

Synonyms

programmed cell death
vsapoptosis
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A process where a cell kills itself to help the body stay healthy

is a narrower regulated biochemical self-destruction often involving specific enzyme pathways
caspase-mediated cell death
vsapoptosis
  • Specialized
9.1

A planned way cells destroy themselves using caspase enzymes to remove damaged or dangerous cells

is a regulated biochemical self-destruction process not limited to one enzyme

Antonyms

cell division
  • Specialized
5 2.8

A cell splits to make two new cells for growth or repair

Surface Forms

apoptosis singular
apoptoses plural

Morphology

apoptosis = apo + ptosis

The term 'apoptosis' is derived from Greek roots 'apo' (away from) and 'ptosis' (falling), but its specific biological meaning is not transparent to learners without specialized knowledge.

Etymology

The word apoptosis comes from Greek parts apo- ('away') and -ptosis ('falling'), like leaves falling from a tree. So apoptosis is a process where a cell 'falls away' on purpose to help the body remove unwanted or damaged cells.