The Difference Between Apoptosis and Necrosis

The process of apoptosis is an organism’s own internal “waste management” process for getting rid of its own damaged, unneeded, and potentially dangerous cells. It is a physiologic (normal operating activity of a living matter) also referred to as “programmed cell death,” or “cell suicide.” Cells are removed from the body because they are damaged, infected, possibly cancerous, or otherwise not normal. It is a way to prevent infection, to delete cells that are not needed any longer, or to arrest the spread of cancer or prevent the disruption of homeostasis.

Apoptosis occurs as an orderly process by which the target cell is condensed or taken apart then removed from the body by the immune system. Cytotoxic T-cells are activated and trigger the process, in which the affected cell shrinks, forms blebs (bulges in plasma membrane). Proteins activated by apoptosis break down the cell. Enzymes break down the nucleus and signal macrophages (large white blood cells that engulf and the cell and use enzymes to destroy it) to remove the cell components from the body. Surrounding cells and tissues are not damaged in the process. No interventions are needed for apoptosis- it is a normal and necessary body function that causes no harm to the body.The Difference Between Apoptosis and Necrosis