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Starlight Longevity

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Apoptosis

Definition

Apoptosis is a regulated form of cell death in which a cell activates an internal program to dismantle itself in an orderly way. It usually involves characteristic changes such as cell shrinkage, DNA fragmentation, membrane blebbing, and packaging of cellular material so that neighbouring cells or immune cells can remove it with limited inflammation. [1] [2] [3]

Why It Matters in Ageing Research

Apoptosis matters because tissues need a balance between removing damaged or dangerous cells and preserving enough healthy cells for repair and function. Too little apoptosis can allow damaged cells to persist and may contribute to cancer risk or cellular senescence, while too much apoptosis can contribute to tissue loss, impaired regeneration, and degenerative disease. Ageing research studies apoptosis as part of genome maintenance, immune regulation, stem-cell function, and the response to cellular stress. [3] [4] [5]

Common Confusion

Related Reading

References

  1. Kerr, J. F. R., Wyllie, A. H., & Currie, A. R. (1972). Apoptosis: A basic biological phenomenon with wide-ranging implications in tissue kinetics. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4561027/
  2. Elmore, S. (2007). Apoptosis: A review of programmed cell death. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2117903/
  3. Fuchs, Y., & Steller, H. (2011). Programmed cell death in animal development and disease. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21763611/
  4. Tower, J. (2015). Programmed cell death in aging. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25862945/
  5. Campisi, J. (2013). Aging, cellular senescence, and cancer. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23140366/
Note

This glossary entry is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.