Apoptosis

Regulated form of programmed cell death in which cells undergo an ordered dismantling—chromatin condensation, membrane blebbing, cellular shrinkage and formation of apoptotic bodies—followed by phagocytic clearance that typically avoids a pro‑inflammatory response.

A regulated form of programmed cell death characterized by cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, formation of membrane-bound apoptotic bodies and rapid phagocytic clearance, typically mediated by caspase-dependent signaling; when executed and cleared properly, apoptosis removes unwanted or damaged cells without provoking an inflammatory response.