apoptosis

noun ap·o·pto·sis \ ˌa-pəp-ˈtō-səs , -pə-ˈtō- \

Definition of apoptosis

plural apoptoses play \ˌa-pəp-ˈtō-ˌsēz, -pə-ˈtō-\

:a genetically directed process of cell self-destruction that is marked by the fragmentation of nuclear DNA, is activated either by the presence of a stimulus or removal of a suppressing agent or stimulus, is a normal physiological process eliminating DNA-damaged, superfluous, or unwanted cells, and when halted (as by genetic mutation) may result in uncontrolled cell growth and tumor formation — called also cell suicide, programmed cell death

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apoptotic

play \-ˈtä-tik\ adjective

Origin and Etymology of apoptosis

New Latin, from Greek apoptōsis a falling off, from apopiptein to fall off, from apo- + piptein to fall — more at feather

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1972

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

apoptosis

noun ap·o·pto·sis \ ˌa-pəp-ˈtō-səs, -pə-ˈtō- \

medical Definition of apoptosis

plural apoptoses play \-ˌsēz\

:a genetically determined process of cell self-destruction that is marked by the fragmentation of nuclear DNA, is activated either by the presence of a stimulus or by the removal of a stimulus or suppressing agent, is a normal physiological process eliminating DNA-damaged, superfluous, or unwanted cells (as immune cells targeted against the self in the development of self-tolerance or larval cells in amphibians undergoing metamorphosis), and when halted (as by genetic mutation) may result in uncontrolled cell growth and tumor formation — called also cell suicide, programmed cell death

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