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apoptosis |
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apoptosis /ap·op·to·sis/ (ap″op-to´sis) a pattern of cell death affecting single cells, marked by shrinkage of the cell, condensation of chromatin, and fragmentation of the cell into membrane-bound bodies that are eliminated by phagocytosis. Often used synonymously with programmed cell death. apoptot´ic
apoptosis [ā′pōtō′sis, ā′poptō′sis] Etymology: Gk, apo, away, ptosis, falling necrosis of keratinocytes in which the nuclei of the necrotic cells dissolve and the cytoplasm shrinks, rounds up, and is subsequently phagocytized. The term generally refers to "programmed" cell death. apoptosis (a·p n programmed destruction of cells; mechanism that keeps cell numbers in check by eliminating senescent cells or those without useful cell function.
apoptosis (ap´ n cell reduction by fragmentation into membrane-bound particles that are phagocytosed by other cells.
apoptosis programmed cell death, a process including coagulative necrosis and shrinkage.
apoptosis A process of single cell death, which consists of a series of biochemical events including cell shrinkage, condensation of chromatin, formation of cytoplasmic blebs and fragmentation of nuclear DNA into membrane-bound particles that are phagocytosed by other cells. It is an important physiological process that helps keep the number of cells relatively constant by compensating for mitosis. It is necessary to prevent either uncontrolled growth and tumour formation (as may be caused by genetic mutation), or hypotrophy (as in ischaemia) due to excessive apoptosis induced by a stimulus, such as irradiation, toxic drugs, etc. Apoptosis represents a form of programmed cell death. Example: almost all corneal epithelial cells die within 10 days, and are replaced by mitosis. See mitosis; neuroprotection. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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Lymphocytes, in particular, undergo massive and apparently unregulated apoptosis in human patients and laboratory animals with sepsis, potentially playing a major role in the severe immunosuppression that characterizes the terminal phase of fatal illness. Studies have shown that inhibition or depletion of RLIP76, a glutathione-conjugate transport protein that helps cells defend themselves against toxicants, causes apoptosis in a number of cancer cell types. By reawakening the apoptosis that seems to fail in many tumor cells, J. |
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