Apoptosis: An Insight into Role in Health and Disease

Abstract: Apoptosis is a tightly regulated form of programmed cell death essential for maintaining tissue homeostasis and normal development. It is characterized by distinct morphological and biochemical features, including cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, and membrane blebbing. Apoptosis occurs through two major pathways: the intrinsic (mitochondrial) and extrinsic (death receptor) pathways, both of which lead to the activation of caspases. The intrinsic pathway is triggered by internal stress signals such as DNA damage and oxidative stress, while the extrinsic pathway is initiated by ligand binding to cell surface death receptors. Physiologically, apoptosis is crucial for embryogenesis, immune regulation, and the removal of damaged or harmful cells. However, its dysregulation contributes to disease; reduced apoptosis can result in cancer, whereas excessive apoptosis is linked to neurodegenerative disorders and tissue injury. Due to its central role in disease, apoptosis represents an important therapeutic target in modern biomedical research. Keywords: Apoptosis, Mechanisms, Regulation, Physiology, Pathology, Diseases. Title: Apoptosis: An Insight into Role in Health and Disease Author: Austine-Okezie Ogechukwu Lucy., Alphonsus Ogbonna Ogbuabor, Silas Anayo Ufelle, Dorathy Chizoba Onovo International Journal of Recent Research in Life Sciences (IJRRLS) ISSN 2349-7823 Vol. 13, Issue 2, April 2026 - June 2026 Page No: 1-4 Paper Publications Website: www.paperpublications.org Published Date: 21-April-2026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19680990 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.paperpublications.org/upload/book/Apoptosis%20An%20Insight%20into%20Role%20in%20Health%20and%20Disease-21042026-7.pdf