👉 Apoptosis, often referred to as programmed cell death, is a critical biological process that involves the regulated and controlled elimination of cells. This mechanism is essential for maintaining tissue homeostasis, eliminating damaged or infected cells, and preventing the development of diseases such as cancer. Apoptosis is characterized by distinct morphological changes, including cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and nuclear fragmentation, which are recognized by phagocytes to remove the cell without causing inflammation. Key molecular players in apoptosis include pro-apoptotic proteins like Bax and Bak, which promote mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization, and anti-apoptotic proteins like Bcl-2, which inhibit this process. Additionally, signaling pathways such as the intrinsic (mitochondrial) pathway and the extrinsic (death receptor) pathway are activated by various stimuli, ultimately leading to the activation of caspases, enzymes that execute the cell death program.
