Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A natural process of self-destruction by degradative enzymes in certain cells, such as epithelial cells and erythrocytes, that are genetically programmed to have a limited lifespan or are damaged, as by irradiation or toxic drugs.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a type of cell death in which the cell uses specialized cellular machinery to kill itself; a cell suicide mechanism that enables metazoans to control cell number and eliminate cells that threaten the animal's survival
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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She thought of how the word apoptosis meaning “cell death,” came from the Greek word for “falling leaves.”
The Life You Longed For Maribeth Fischer 2007
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She thought of how the word apoptosis meaning “cell death,” came from the Greek word for “falling leaves.”
The Life You Longed For Maribeth Fischer 2007
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She thought of how the word apoptosis meaning “cell death,” came from the Greek word for “falling leaves.”
The Life You Longed For Maribeth Fischer 2007
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She thought of how the word apoptosis meaning “cell death,” came from the Greek word for “falling leaves.”
The Life You Longed For Maribeth Fischer 2007
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The process of cells dying is a highly controlled one that is called apoptosis, which is a Greek word that means “petals dropping off a plant.”
Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Cancer Book Jack Canfield 2009
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The process of cells dying is a highly controlled one that is called apoptosis, which is a Greek word that means “petals dropping off a plant.”
Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Cancer Book Jack Canfield 2009
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So, when a telomere gets short, that's when either senescence or apoptosis is triggered.
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In neurons this is called apoptosis; in humans it is called depression, grief, and suicide.
The Chemistry of Calm M.D. Henry Emmons 2010
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When they exposed cancer cells to these phytonutrients, the cells self-destructed technically, such self-destruction is called apoptosis.
The Fiber35 Diet Brenda Watson with Leonard Smith 2007
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When they exposed cancer cells to these phytonutrients, the cells self-destructed technically, such self-destruction is called apoptosis.
The Fiber35 Diet Brenda Watson with Leonard Smith 2007
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Cheng wanted to see how the signal responsible for this cellular suicide (apoptosis) spreads within a cell, and to do so, he needed cytoplasm.
Unscrambled Eggs: Self-Organization Restores Cells’ Order | Quanta Magazine Wynne Parry 2020
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In a pre-programmed process called apoptosis, for example, cells are gradually demolished, helping to keep tissues healthy.
Bang! Exploding immune cells splatter potent toxins everywhere Amanda Heidt 2026
hernesheir commented on the word apoptosis
The postapoptotic part comes afterwards.
January 11, 2012