Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a distinct form of cell death that is functionally and morphologically different from necrosis. Nuclear chromatin condensation, cytoplasmic shrinking, dilated endoplasmic reticulum, and membrane blebbing characterize apoptosis in general. Mitochondria remain morphologically unchanged. In 1972 Kerr et al introduced the concept of apoptosis as a distinct form of "cell-death", and the mechanisms of various apoptotic pathways are still being revealed today.

细胞凋亡是一种独特的细胞死亡形式，其功能与形态学上均与坏死不同。核染色质浓缩、细胞质收缩、扩张的内质网以及细胞膜突起通常被认为是凋亡的一般特征。线粒体在形态上保持不变。1972年，Kerr 等人首次提出了凋亡作为一种独特的“细胞死亡”形式的概念，而至今，各种凋亡途径的机制仍在不断被揭示。