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

Recent Examples of apoptosis from the Web

Along with colleagues, the pair focused on a core challenge: how to coax myofibroblasts to self-destruct, a cellular process called apoptosis.

— jennifer couzin-frankel, Science | AAAS, "Pushing cells to self-destruct combats deadly fibrosis," 13 Dec. 2017
These proteins can both induce or prevent apoptosis, and the team suspected that the balance between these proteins was disrupted in the overactive myofibroblasts.

— jennifer couzin-frankel, Science | AAAS, "Pushing cells to self-destruct combats deadly fibrosis," 13 Dec. 2017
These impostors could then be used to dupe overactive immune cells into believing that apoptosis rather than necrosis was taking place.

— The Economist, "Molecular biologyFaking cellular suicide could help control inflammation," 14 Sep. 2017
Unlike necrosis, the leftovers of apoptosis are mostly tolerated by the immune system.

— The Economist, "Molecular biologyFaking cellular suicide could help control inflammation," 14 Sep. 2017

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.

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

in the meaning defined above

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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