apoptosis
Programmed cellular demise
Apoptosis is programmed cell death—a controlled process by which cells systematically dismantle themselves when they're damaged, infected, or no longer needed.
Unlike necrosis, where cells die messily from injury, apoptosis is orderly: the cell shrinks, fragments, and gets absorbed without triggering inflammation.
The process is essential for normal development and health: Apoptosis shapes fingers by eliminating the webbing between them.
Cancer often involves cells that evade apoptosis.
Heme protein transferring electrons
- mitochondriaCell's energy-producing organelles
- chromatinNuclear protein-wrapped genetic material
- condensationVapor turning to liquid
- phagocytosisCellular ingestion of particles
Belonging by nature
- extrinsicNot inherent or essential
- mitochondrialOf cell's energy centers
- Bcl-2Apoptosis-inhibiting protein
Localized cell death
- autophagyCellular self-degradation process
- ferroptosisIron-catalyzed membrane destruction
- accidentalOccurring by chance
- inflammationProtective tissue response
Uncontrolled cell proliferation disease
- tumorAbnormal tissue mass
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- chemotherapyAnti-cancer drug treatment
- oncologyCancer medicine specialty
neurodegeneration · autoimmunity · leukemia · lymphoma · carcinogenesis · metastasis · evasion · defective
Biological internal stability maintenance
- signalingConveying information nonverbally
- inhibitionMental check on behavior
- activationSetting into operation
- IAPsPurchases within downloaded software
phosphorylation · transcription · upregulation · downregulation · checkpoint · balance · suppression · modulation
Gradual functional decline with age
- telomereProtective chromosome terminus
- longevityDuration of existence
- gerontologyScientific study of senescence
- age-relatedTied to chronological progression
Developmental shape emergence
- embryogenesisFormation of early life
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
- organogenesisEmbryonic tissue becoming structures
- programmedSet with instructions
cytochrome
Heme protein transferring electrons
- mitochondriaCell's energy-producing organelles
- chromatinNuclear protein-wrapped genetic material
- condensationVapor turning to liquid
intrinsic
Belonging by nature
- extrinsicNot inherent or essential
- mitochondrialOf cell's energy centers
- Bcl-2Apoptosis-inhibiting protein
necrosis
Localized cell death
- autophagyCellular self-degradation process
- ferroptosisIron-catalyzed membrane destruction
- accidentalOccurring by chance
cancer
Uncontrolled cell proliferation disease
- tumorAbnormal tissue mass
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- chemotherapyAnti-cancer drug treatment
oncology · neurodegeneration · autoimmunity · leukemia · lymphoma · carcinogenesis · metastasis · evasion · defective · dysregulation
homeostasis
Biological internal stability maintenance
- signalingConveying information nonverbally
- inhibitionMental check on behavior
- activationSetting into operation
IAPs · phosphorylation · transcription · upregulation · downregulation · checkpoint · balance · suppression · modulation · feedback
senescence
Gradual functional decline with age
- telomereProtective chromosome terminus
- longevityDuration of existence
- gerontologyScientific study of senescence
morphogenesis
Developmental shape emergence
- embryogenesisFormation of early life
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
- organogenesisEmbryonic tissue becoming structures
- biologycells, DNA, cell, biology, gene
- developmentgrowth, progress, advancement, expansion, improvement
- growthgrowth, grow, growing, growth rate, increase
- agingaging process, aging body, biological age, aging workforce, aging parents
- cellscells, blood cell, cell theory, nerve cell, red blood cell
- decayrot, decay rate, wilt, crumble, decomposition