Apoptosis

**Semantic type:** Phenomenon or Process

**Definition:** A form of programmed cell death that begins when a cell receives internal or external signals, then proceeds through a series of characteristic stages typically including rounding-up of the cell, retraction of pseudopods, reduction of cellular volume (pyknosis), chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation (karyorrhexis), and plasma membrane blebbing, and ends with the death of the cell.

**Synonyms:** - APOPTOSIS - Apoptotic Process - PCD - Programmed Cell Death - apoptosis - programmed cell death