Which of the following best characterizes apoptosis?
A) Apoptosis is bad for an organism.
B) The stages of apoptosis are different in each cell type.
C) Apoptosis happens accidentally to healthy cells.
D) Apoptosis plays a normal role in development and cancer prevention.
E) Apoptosis results in our going from a fertilized egg to trillions of cells.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Apoptosis plays a normal role in development and cancer prevention. Unlike necrosis, which is accidental cell death from injury or disease, apoptosis is a programmed cell death that occurs in response to signals from the cell or its environment. Apoptosis plays a normal role in development by removing unneeded cells and shaping tissues and organs. It also plays a role in preventing cancer by eliminating cells with DNA damage or other abnormalities. Therefore, apoptosis is not bad for an organism, the stages of apoptosis are generally similar across cell types, and it is not accidental. While apoptosis is involved in the transition from a fertilized egg to trillions of cells, this statement alone does not best characterize apoptosis.

Which of the Following Best Characterizes Apoptosis