What term describes controlled cell death where the cell and its organelles are dismantled and digested?

What term describes controlled cell death where the cell and its organelles are dismantled and digested?

• A. Necrosis
• B. Apoptosis
• C. Autophagy
• D. Cell senescence

Answer: (B)

Apoptosis is defined as a highly regulated process of programmed cell death that plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and development. During apoptosis, a series of biochemical events lead to specific morphological and physiological changes in the cell. The cell shrinks, the chromatin condenses, and the cell membrane blebbing occurs, ultimately resulting in the fragmentation of the cell into apoptotic bodies, which are then efficiently phagocytosed by neighboring cells or immune cells without triggering inflammation. This process is essential for eliminating damaged or unwanted cells in the body, thus preventing potential issues such as cancer development or autoimmune responses. Because apoptosis is controlled and energy-dependent, it avoids the chaotic cell rupture associated with necrosis, which often leads to inflammation and can cause tissue damage. Furthermore, while autophagy refers to the process of degrading and recycling cellular components to maintain energy levels and function, and cell senescence is a state of irreversible cell cycle arrest in response to stress, they do not involve the orderly dismantling and removal of entire cells like apoptosis does.

Apoptosis is defined as a highly regulated process of programmed cell death that plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and development. During apoptosis, a series of biochemical events lead to specific morphological and physiological changes in the cell. The cell shrinks, the chromatin condenses, and the cell membrane blebbing occurs, ultimately resulting in the fragmentation of the cell into apoptotic bodies, which are then efficiently phagocytosed by neighboring cells or immune cells without triggering inflammation.

This process is essential for eliminating damaged or unwanted cells in the body, thus preventing potential issues such as cancer development or autoimmune responses. Because apoptosis is controlled and energy-dependent, it avoids the chaotic cell rupture associated with necrosis, which often leads to inflammation and can cause tissue damage. Furthermore, while autophagy refers to the process of degrading and recycling cellular components to maintain energy levels and function, and cell senescence is a state of irreversible cell cycle arrest in response to stress, they do not involve the orderly dismantling and removal of entire cells like apoptosis does.