noun
mass nounPhysiologyThe death of cells which occurs as a normal and controlled part of an organism's growth or development.
Also called programmed cell death‘Programmed cell death by apoptosis plays a key role in molding the form of chick and mammalian limbs, especially the digits.’- ‘Radioiodine can cause significant apoptosis and mitotic cell death in the thyroid tissue.’
- ‘In addition, the signals that lead a cell to necrosis or apoptosis remain to be elucidated.’
- ‘We have reported that turmeric also activates the lymphocytes and induces apoptosis to tumor cells.’
- ‘The role of macrophage apoptosis in containing the growth of the bacilli is also discussed.’
Origin
1970s from Greek apoptōsis ‘falling off’, from apo ‘from’ + ptōsis ‘falling, a fall’.
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