apoptosis

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'apoptosis' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to the regulated process of cell death that is a normal part of the cell cycle. For example: "Apoptosis plays an essential role in the development and functioning of many tissues, including the immune system."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We all still have a dream to do something like a gene-expression experiment to analyse how a compound influences apoptosis," he says.

The Economist

The other portion damages the membrane, triggering a mechanism called apoptosis which causes the cell to kill itself.

The Economist

But apoptosis is also crucial during embryonic development.

The Economist

This is done by apoptosis.

The Economist

Some find ways to escape apoptosis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, this defect in the DNA strand may eventually lead to a mutation and induce cancer or cell death (apoptosis).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The extensive tissue injury documented in ebolavirus infection, including massive cell death and hemorrhage, has been associated with viral interference of immune cell function, particularly suppressive effects on the maturation of dendritic cells and the catastrophic loss (via apoptosis) of lymphocytes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In vertebrates it has been called apoptosis and in invertebrates, cell deletion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

BH-3-only proteins function as activators or sensitizers of apoptosis and monitor important cell processes for dysfunction.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In addition, the selective control of apoptosis in the immune system can dramatically improve therapy for diseases from diabetes mellitus to HIV/AIDS.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For example, mutations in a protein called p53, which normally detects abnormalities in DNA at the G1 checkpoint, can enable cancer-causing mutations to bypass this checkpoint and allow the cell to escape apoptosis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In general writing, consider defining it once as 'programmed cell death' to ensure readers unfamiliar with the Greek etymology (meaning 'falling off') can follow your argument.

Common error

Do not use "apoptosis" to describe cell death caused by external trauma, such as a burn or a physical injury; that is usually "necrosis". "Apoptosis" is a 'clean' process that does not cause inflammation, whereas necrosis is 'messy' and often damaging to surrounding tissues.

Linguistic Context

The term "apoptosis" functions as a specialized technical noun used to denote a specific, genetically regulated process of cellular self-destruction. In sentences provided by Ludwig, it typically acts as the subject of biological mechanisms or as the object of verbs like "induce", "trigger" or "escape". It is essential for distinguishing programmed death from accidental cell damage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

75%

Science

15%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "apoptosis" is a vital scientific term that denotes the orderly, programmed destruction of cells. As demonstrated by the extensive data from Ludwig, it is the preferred term in both academic and journalistic contexts to describe a biological 'sculpting' process or a defense mechanism against disease. Unlike accidental cell death, "apoptosis" is active and regulated. Writers should use it to convey biological precision, while occasionally providing synonyms like "programmed cell death" for broader audiences. Following the patterns seen in Ludwig AI, the term is most frequently associated with cancer research, embryonic development and immune system functioning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

programmed cell death

the most common technical synonym often abbreviated as PCD.

cell suicide

a common metaphor used to explain the concept to non-experts.

cellular self-destruction

emphasizes the internal nature of the trigger.

active cell death

highlights that the process requires energy and gene expression.

apoptotic signaling

refers specifically to the chemical pathways leading to the death.

mitotic catastrophe

a specific type of cell death resulting from abnormal mitosis.

cellular senescence

describes cells that stop dividing but do not necessarily die immediately.

cytotoxicity

the quality of being toxic to cells, often inducing the apoptotic process.

autophagy

a related process where cells 'eat' their own components for survival or death.

necrosis

the antonym representing accidental, messy and non-programmed cell death.

FAQs

How do I use "apoptosis" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a biological necessity, such as: "The developing fetus uses "apoptosis" to remove tissue between the fingers." or "Cancer cells often find ways to evade "apoptosis"."

What is the difference between "apoptosis" and "necrosis"?

While both result in cell death, "apoptosis" is a controlled, 'programmed' event, whereas "necrosis" is accidental death caused by factors like infection or toxins.

What is a simpler way to say "apoptosis"?

In non-scientific contexts, you can use the term "programmed cell death" or even "cell suicide" for a more descriptive approach.

Is "apoptosis" a common word?

It is extremely common in biology and medicine. Ludwig AI examples show it appears frequently in reputable sources like Encyclopedia Britannica and The Economist when discussing health and science.