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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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for apoptosis
The first known use of apoptosis was in 1972
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