Phenomena and Processes

Apoptosis

A regulated cell death mechanism characterized by distinctive morphologic changes in the nucleus and cytoplasm, including the endonucleolytic cleavage of genomic DNA, at regularly spaced, internucleosomal sites, i.e., DNA FRAGMENTATION. It is genetically programmed and serves as a balance to mitosis in regulating the size of animal tissues and in mediating pathologic processes associated with tumor growth.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A regulated cell death mechanism characterized by distinctive morphologic changes in the nucleus and cytoplasm, including the endonucleolytic cleavage of genomic DNA, at regularly spaced, internucleosomal sites, i.e., DNA FRAGMENTATION. It is genetically programmed and serves as a balance to mitosis in regulating the size of animal tissues and in mediating pathologic processes associated with tumor growth.

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Classification

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See Also

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Synonyms

17 entry terms
  • Classic Apoptosis
  • Classical Apoptosis
  • Programmed Cell Death, Type I
  • Apoptosis, Classic
  • Apoptosis, Classical
  • Classic Apoptoses
  • Apoptosis, Extrinsic Pathway
  • Apoptosis, Intrinsic Pathway
  • Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis
  • Apoptoses, Extrinsic Pathway
  • Apoptoses, Intrinsic Pathway
  • Apoptosis, Caspase-Dependent
  • Caspase Dependent Apoptosis
  • Extrinsic Pathway Apoptoses
  • Extrinsic Pathway Apoptosis
  • Intrinsic Pathway Apoptoses
  • Intrinsic Pathway Apoptosis

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

5 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings drug effects, genetics, immunology, physiology, radiation effects.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

general or unspecified, note specifics

MeSH Record

History Note

93

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Cell Survival (1972-1992)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QU 375

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Apoptosis. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D017209. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D017209
  2. Apoptosis. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apoptosis
  3. Apoptosis. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14599311