EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -A type of cell death in which a series of molecular steps in a cell lead to its death. This is one method the body uses to get rid of unneeded or abnormal cells. The process of programmed cell death may be blocked in cancer cells. Also called apoptosis.

Detailed explanation-2: -Apoptosis occurs normally during development and aging and as a homeostatic mechanism to maintain cell populations in tissues. Apoptosis also occurs as a defense mechanism such as in immune reactions or when cells are damaged by disease or noxious agents (Norbury and Hickson, 2001).

Detailed explanation-3: -Apoptosis describes the orchestrated collapse of a cell characterised by membrane blebbing, cell shrinkage, condensation of chromatin, and fragmentation of DNA followed by rapid engulfment of the corpse by neighbouring cells.

Detailed explanation-4: -Apoptosis is programmed cell death. Explanation: Apoptosis is the programmed cell death in which a cascade of events leads to the death of the cell.