Cell death

Question 1

What are two types of cell death?

Answer 1

Necrosis and apoptosis.

Question 2

What is the main difference between necrosis and apoptosis?

Answer 2

Apoptosis is programmed cell death and is a healthy process of the body. (No inflammation)
Necrosis is premature death of cells often caused by external factors such as infections, toxins or trauma. (Local inflammation)

Question 3

What factors can induce apoptosis?

Answer 3

1. DNA damage.
2. Deficit of growth factors or nutrients.
3. Signaling molecules activating specific receptors.

Question 4

What are the specific receptors that induce apoptosis called?

Answer 4

Death receptors

Question 5

What are the two phases of apoptosis?

Answer 5

Induction and execution.

Question 6

What happens during the induction phase of apoptosis?

Answer 6

Death receptors are activated or production of apoptosis-inducing proteins is produced. Cytochromes are then released from the mitochondria.

Question 7

What happens during the execution phase of apoptosis?

Answer 7

Activation of caspases (proteolytic enzyme). The digestion of intracellular proteins starts. The metabolic process of the cell is inhibited and the cell eventually dies.

Question 8

What are apoptotic bodies?

Answer 8

Vesicle containing parts of a cell. Formed during the execution phase of apoptosis.

Question 9

What is autophagy?

Answer 9

Autophagy is the body’s way of getting rid of damaged and unhealthy cells, in order to generate new ones.