Apoptosis & Cell Death

These flashcards cover key concepts related to apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy from the lecture notes on cell death.

Apoptosis

A form of programmed cell death that occurs in a physiological context.

Necrosis

An uncontrolled and unplanned form of cell death characterized by cellular swelling and membrane rupture.

Autophagy

A cellular process for recycling cellular components, often in response to nutrient deprivation.

Caspases

Proteolytic enzymes that execute cell death by cleaving specific proteins.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment within the body.

Caenorhabditis elegans

A model organism used to study the genetic control of apoptosis.

Embryogenesis

The process of development of an embryo, where apoptosis plays a crucial role.

Hormone-dependent involution

The process by which the uterus returns to its normal size after pregnancy, involving apoptosis.

T cell

A type of lymphocyte that plays a role in the immune response and the regulation of apoptosis.

Immune response

The body's defense mechanism against pathogens, regulated in part by apoptosis.

Apoptotic bodies

Membrane-bound vesicles formed during apoptosis that contain cellular debris.

Phagocytosis

The process through which certain cells engulf and digest cellular debris or pathogens.

Morphology

The study of the form and structure of organisms, including cellular shapes during apoptosis and necrosis.

Cell reprogramming

The process by which cells are altered to change their fate, related to apoptosis.

Intrinsic pathway

The pathway of apoptosis initiated by cellular stress and mitochondrial signals.

Extrinsic pathway

The apoptosis pathway initiated by external signals through death receptors.

Mitochondrial permeability

The ability of mitochondria to allow molecules to pass through, critical in intrinsic apoptosis.

Inflammation

A biological response to tissue injury, often resulting from necrosis.

Phagocyte

A type of immune cell that engulfs and digests debris and pathogens.

Cytotoxic T-cells

T-cells that can induce apoptosis in infected or cancerous cells.

Neoplastic cells

Cells that form tumors which can evade apoptosis.

Aging

The process of becoming older, potentially linked to changes in apoptosis rates.

Alzheimer's disease

A neurodegenerative disorder where inappropriate apoptosis may play a role.

Pairing

The process of cellular alignment and apoptosis in developing neurons.

CASP8

Caspase 8, an initiator caspase activated in the extrinsic pathway.

CAD

Caspase-activated DNase, an enzyme responsible for DNA fragmentation during apoptosis.

Apoptotic signaling pathways

The complex network of signals that regulate apoptosis.

Dysregulated apoptosis

Apoptotic processes that go awry, leading to disease.

Cytoplasm

The gel-like substance within the cell where cellular processes occur.

Cell shrinkage

A morphological feature of apoptosis where cells become smaller.

Phagocytic recognition

The ability of phagocytes to identify and remove apoptotic cells.

Chronic inflammation

Long-lasting inflammation that may arise from necrotic cell death.

Cellular components

Various parts of the cell, including organelles, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Cellular debris

Remnants of cells that have undergone apoptosis or necrosis.

Lysosomal enzymes

Enzymes found in lysosomes that degrade cellular material.

Cystein proteases

A category of proteolytic enzymes that include caspases.

Executioner caspases

Caspases that carry out the death program by degrading essential cellular components.

Death receptors

Receptors that trigger apoptosis when bound by specific ligands.

Hypoxia

A state in which there is insufficient oxygen, which can induce apoptosis.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)

A cytokine that can initiate apoptosis through its receptors.

Zymogens

Inactive enzyme precursors that require activation, as seen with caspases.

Toxins

Substances that can cause cellular damage and induce apoptosis.

Trophic factors

Nutritional factors that support cell survival and inhibit apoptosis.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS)

Chemically reactive molecules that can induce stress signaling leading to apoptosis.

Excess cell removal

The physiological role of apoptosis in eliminating surplus or dysfunctional cells.

Induction of apoptosis

The process through which various signals trigger the apoptotic pathway.

Clinical implications of apoptosis

The relevance of apoptosis in understanding and treating diseases.