apoptosis

noun

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ap·o·pto·sis | \ ˌa-pəp-ˈtō-səs

, -pə-ˈtō-

plural apoptoses\ ˌa-pəp-ˈtō-ˌsēz

, -pə-ˈtō- \

Definition of apoptosis

: 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 gene mutation) may result in uncontrolled cell growth and tumor formation

— called also cell suicide, programmed cell death

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Examples of apoptosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Both try to stop a cell's emergency safety switch, a self-destruct mechanism known as apoptosis. — Mark Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3 June 2021 Some of the affected pathways seemed intuitive, inhibiting cell processes like division and apoptosis, or cell death. — Gregory Barber, Wired, 27 June 2020 Quercetin has also been linked to apoptosis, the self-destruct sequence the body uses to kill off worn out or dysfunctional cells, which may help reduce cancer risk. — Cynthia Sass, Mph, Health.com, 12 Dec. 2019 Quercetin has also been linked to apoptosis, the self-destruct sequence the body uses to kill off worn out or dysfunctional cells. — Cynthia Sass, Mph, Health.com, 25 Oct. 2019 Quercetin has also been linked to apoptosis, the self-destruct sequence the body uses to kill off worn out or dysfunctional cells. — Cynthia Sass, Mph, Health.com, 25 Oct. 2019 Quercetin has also been linked to apoptosis, the self-destruct sequence the body uses to kill off worn out or dysfunctional cells. — Cynthia Sass, Mph, Health.com, 12 Aug. 2019 The result was that the cells became less likely to destroy themselves through a process called apoptosis (programmed cell death), which organisms often use as a kind of quality control system for eliminating defective tissue. — Quanta Magazine, 7 Nov. 2017 If the damage is sufficiently critical, the cell will respond by committing an orderly sort of suicide called apoptosis, which keeps it from causing any further problems. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, 10 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'apoptosis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

10 Jun 2021

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“Apoptosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apoptosis. Accessed 25 Jun. 2021.

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More Definitions for apoptosis

apoptosis

noun

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

plural apoptoses\ -ˌsēz

Medical Definition of apoptosis

: 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 gene mutation) may result in uncontrolled cell growth and tumor formation

— called also cell suicide, programmed cell death