Apoptose
Apoptose is a natural process of programmed cell death that occurs in multicellular organisms. It is a crucial mechanism that helps maintain healthy tissue by eliminating damaged, unwanted, or potentially harmful cells. During apoptosis, cells undergo a series of controlled changes, including shrinkage, fragmentation, and eventual removal by immune cells.
This process is essential for various biological functions, such as development, immune response, and tissue homeostasis. Dysregulation of apoptosis can lead to various diseases, including cancer, where cells evade this process and continue to proliferate uncontrollably. Understanding apoptosis is vital for developing targeted therapies in medicine.