User talk:Dskvm
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Apoptosis (derived from the Greek word meaning “falling off”) is a form of programmed cell death to maintain a constant cell number and ensure optimum functioning. The cell undergoes several morphological changes while dying via apoptosis: the cell shrinks, the cytoskeleton collapses, chromatin condenses, the surface often blebs and phosphotidylserine located on the inner plasma membrane flips to the outer membrane and this helps neighbouring cells or macrophages rapidly engulf them without spilling their contents. Neurons are post-mitotic and generally survive for the entire lifetime of the organism. This enduring nature of neurons is essential for the functioning of the neuronal cells. Neuronal apoptosis thereby is the cause of several neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease.
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Neuronal_apoptosis_signalling_pathway.png/640px-Neuronal_apoptosis_signalling_pathway.png)