Control Of Programmed Cell Death (apoptosis) Flashcards
What is apoptosis
The death of cells which occurs as a normal and controlled part of an organisms growth or development
What is apoptosis triggered by
Cell death signals that can be external or internal
What’s an example of an external death signal
The production of death signal molecules from lymphocytes
What do death signal molecules bind to
A surface receptor protein and trigger a protein cascade within the cytoplasm
What’s an example of an internal death signal
DNA damage
What does an internal death signal resulting from DNA damage cause
Activation of p53 tumour-suppressor protein
What do both death signals result in
The activation of caspases that cause the destruction of the cell
When is apoptosis essential
During development of an organism to remove cells no longer required as development progresses or during metamorphosis
When may cells initiate apoptosis
In the absence of growth factors
