Why does apoptosis remove cells in a controlled way?
Apoptosis is programmed cell death that removes unnecessary or damaged cells through controlled steps.
Biological mechanism and regulation
Caspases shrink the cell, fragment DNA and form membrane-bound bodies. Phagocytes clear the pieces and limit inflammation.
Evidence, applications and limits
Development, immune selection and damaged-cell removal depend on it. Too little can support cancer, while too much can contribute to tissue loss. No single molecule or measurement explains the whole system; cell type, timing, environment and feedback must be considered together.
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