Apoptosis

Term: ApoptosisDefinition: Programmed cell death, a natural process that removes damaged, unneeded, or potentially harmful cells.Phonetic Pronunciation: (ap-op-TOH-sis)Origin: The term 'apoptosis' originates from the Greek words 'apo' meaning 'from' and 'ptosis' meaning 'falling'. It was first used in a biological context in 1972 by John Kerr, Andrew Wyllie, and A.R. Currie to describe a distinct form of cell death.Significance in Asbestos Context: Apoptosis plays a crucial role in understanding the cellular mechanisms affected by asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers can disrupt normal apoptotic pathways, leading to cell survival and proliferation, which may contribute to the development of asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.Example Sentence: Research has shown that asbestos exposure can inhibit apoptosis, potentially allowing damaged cells to persist and develop into cancerous growths.Related Terms: Necrosis, Autophagy, Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, Cellular StressNotes: - Apoptosis is different from necrosis, which is a form of cell death resulting from acute cellular injury. - The inhibition of apoptosis by asbestos is a key area of research in understanding asbestos-related diseases.