Apoptosis and necrosis

Question 1

Definition of apoptosis?

Answer 1

Programmed cell death without release of harmful products to surrounding cells.

Question 2

What’s the point in apoptosis?

Answer 2

Stops cells with damaged DNA from dividing and producing cells which might develop into cancerous cells.

Question 3

How does a cell apoptose?

Answer 3

Proteins cause activated enzymes to be released within the cell which autodigest it

Question 4

What two main things is apoptosis useful for in healthy functioning?

Answer 4

Cell turnover - removal of cells during normal turnover
Development - removal of cells during development

Question 5

Give three clinical examples of causes of necrosis

Answer 5

Infarction e.g MI
Frostbite
Toxic venom from reptiles

Question 6

If a pathologist saw caseous necrosis (looks like blue cheese), what would they order a test for?

Answer 6

Mycobacteria - potential tuberculosis

Question 7

Give three inhibitors of apoptosis.

Answer 7

sex hormones
growth factors
an extracellular matrix