apoptosis

Apoptosis is used to safely destroy virally infected cells (by means of triggering by immune cells), to delete cells no longer needed (in many growth phases), and to delete cells with damage to DNA (many precancerous cells undergo apoptosis before they’re a problem). Apoptosis is also used in more specialised areas, such as immune tolerance – t cells that recognise self proteins often undergo apoptosis, thus avoiding auto-immunity. Lack of apoptotic activity is a sign of cancerous cells.

It’s important to kill off cells that are no longer needed. Apoptosis occurs in a non-inflammatory manner. It is sometimes a controlled destruction of a cell that is either infected, defective in a process, no longer needed or too old (like the others have said). One of the very interesting roles of apoptosis occurs in the development of a fetus in the mother. Why do we have fingers and toes? Well, our hands and feet start as “blobs,” and apoptosis actually occurs in a very precise manner in the spaces between our fingers. This is why we can have separate fingers and toes. This apoptosis sometimes does not occur that well or at all in humans, and can lead to webbed hands/feet (like a duck).

Apoptosis is used in a variety of ways and is used in very important processes. It’s not just for disposing of useless cells. It is a means of progression and development too.

Thanks!!! that was really helpful especially the example of the webbed feet hands!!!