Apoptosis (Cell Death)

Question 1

Define apoptosis.

Answer 1

Cells that are programmed to self-destruct.

Question 2

What causes it to occur?

Answer 2

If DNA is damaged/mutated, so damaged cells can’t multiply and create further damage.

Question 3

What happens in apoptosis?

Answer 3

The nucleus of the cell is dismantled and the membrane blebs.
Apoptosis bodies are cleared by phagocytes.

Question 4

When apoptosis fails.

Answer 4

When cells don’t die as they should, defects may occur.
E.g. cancer- some tumour cells don’t have the suicide gene, and grow and divide uncontrollably.