Cell Death: Necrosis and Apoptosis

Flashcards covering key concepts related to necrosis and apoptosis in veterinary cellular biology.

Necrosis

A form of cell death that is primarily pathological and energy independent, leading to cell explosion and inflammation.

Apoptosis

The controlled energy-dependent process of cell death characterized by cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing, and fragmentation.

RIPK1

A kinase that plays a critical role in the extrinsic pathway of necrosis by binding to and activating RIPK3.

MLKL

A protein that oligomerizes and forms a channel in the plasma membrane, inducing necrosis in response to RIPK3 activation.

Mitochondrial pore

A channel in the mitochondrial membrane that, when opened, leads to mitochondrial swelling and rupture, contributing to necrosis.

Inflammatory cytokines

Signaling molecules like TNFα that trigger the necrotic pathway through the activation of death receptors.

Caspases

Proteases that play a central role in apoptosis, with caspase-8 initiating the extrinsic pathway and caspase-9 initiating the intrinsic pathway.

Bcl2

A protein that inhibits the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis by blocking the activation of pro-apoptotic proteins like Bax and Bak.

Necrosis-modulating drugs

Therapeutic agents that include inhibitors and activators being developed to influence necrosis for clinical purposes.

Autophagy

An alternative form of cell death that involves self-digestion of cellular components and can serve as a survival mechanism.