Apoptosis
Apoptosis can be defined as :-
1- A pattern of cellular death which is tightly regulated hence being termed cell-suicide or
programmed cell death due to it being genetically determined and highly controlled
process of cellular death due to a physiological or pathological condition.
2- A pathway of cell death in which the cell activates its own enzymes that degrade the cells
own nuclear DNA and cytoplasmic proteins.
The dead cells and its fragments are cleared with little leakage of the cellular contents to
the surroundings and hence apoptosis is considered non-inflammatory.
This process of clearing dead cells is done by macrophages in a very innocent method and
therefore there is no consequent inflammation contrary to necrosis which is frequently
followed by an inflammatory response. For that reason, Apoptosis is called Peaceful cell
death
Necrosis
Cellular contents swell (ER ,mitochondria),hence an increase in cell size.
Necrosis is mostly pathologic
Generally, the plasma membrane isn’t intact and there is Enzymatic digestion as well as
leakage of cellular contents
, Apoptosis
Cells shrink, get smaller in size at the level of organelles (Condensation of chromatin).
The plasma membrane is intact ( no enzymatic digestion). In other words, it won’t
undergo rapturing and therefore there is no leakage of cellular contents to the outside.
The contents of the apoptotic cell are enclosed by parts of the plasma membrane
resulting the formation of Apoptotic bodies that will be subsequently released.
These apoptotic bodies are said to be edible which means they can be detected by
phagocytes including macrophages that engulf them in a peaceful way hence No
intense Inflammatory response.
Apoptosis can be both physiological and pathological
To summarize the differences :-
Apoptosis can be defined as :-
1- A pattern of cellular death which is tightly regulated hence being termed cell-suicide or
programmed cell death due to it being genetically determined and highly controlled
process of cellular death due to a physiological or pathological condition.
2- A pathway of cell death in which the cell activates its own enzymes that degrade the cells
own nuclear DNA and cytoplasmic proteins.
The dead cells and its fragments are cleared with little leakage of the cellular contents to
the surroundings and hence apoptosis is considered non-inflammatory.
This process of clearing dead cells is done by macrophages in a very innocent method and
therefore there is no consequent inflammation contrary to necrosis which is frequently
followed by an inflammatory response. For that reason, Apoptosis is called Peaceful cell
death
Necrosis
Cellular contents swell (ER ,mitochondria),hence an increase in cell size.
Necrosis is mostly pathologic
Generally, the plasma membrane isn’t intact and there is Enzymatic digestion as well as
leakage of cellular contents
, Apoptosis
Cells shrink, get smaller in size at the level of organelles (Condensation of chromatin).
The plasma membrane is intact ( no enzymatic digestion). In other words, it won’t
undergo rapturing and therefore there is no leakage of cellular contents to the outside.
The contents of the apoptotic cell are enclosed by parts of the plasma membrane
resulting the formation of Apoptotic bodies that will be subsequently released.
These apoptotic bodies are said to be edible which means they can be detected by
phagocytes including macrophages that engulf them in a peaceful way hence No
intense Inflammatory response.
Apoptosis can be both physiological and pathological
To summarize the differences :-
