Apoptosis is a natural process of programmed cell death that occurs in multicellular organisms. It helps maintain healthy tissue by eliminating old, damaged, or unnecessary cells without causing inflammation. This process is crucial for development, immune function, and overall cellular health. During apoptosis, cells undergo a series of controlled changes, including shrinkage, DNA fragmentation, and membrane blebbing. These changes signal neighboring cells to remove the dying cells safely. Proper regulation of apoptosis is essential, as its malfunction can lead to diseases such as cancer, where cells evade death, or neurodegenerative disorders, where excessive cell death occurs.