cell suicide

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cell suicide" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts related to biology, particularly when discussing programmed cell death or apoptosis. For example, "During the process of development, certain cells undergo cell suicide to eliminate unnecessary tissue." Alternative expressions include "programmed cell death" and "apoptosis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

mDia function is critical for the cell suicide program triggered by farnesyl transferase inhibition.

Nature

Kalkavan H, Green DR. MOMP: cell suicide as a BCL-2 family business.

Nature

The body uses cell suicide in immune cell development and function, and for removing unnecessary or damaged cells.

The New York Times

It then suppresses the immune cells' DNA repair mechanisms and induces the cell suicide process called apoptosis, they said.

The New York Times - Health

As cells are created, an equal number die through cell suicide both in the fetus and adult.

The New York Times

There was evidence that the drug bolstered the activity of mitochondria and promoted cell suicide.

The New York Times - Health

Dr. Horvitz said that the body's abnormal control of cell suicide "can play a central role in certain cancers, autoimmune diseases and neurodegenerative diseases".

The New York Times

The single-cell organisms like bacteria and yeast that scientists often use in other studies are unsuitable for understanding how the complicated processes of cell suicide are controlled.

The New York Times

This "cell suicide" response can be triggered by normal developmental signals, disease-related deterioration or cell damage resulting from toxic exposure, low oxygen, or traumatic injury.

Columbia University

Therefore, when one end of the DRACO binds to dsRNA, it signals the other end of the DRACO to initiate cell suicide.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Radiation therapy and many chemotherapy drugs work by damaging the DNA which, in turn, should trigger cell suicide.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with its scientific counterpart, such as "programmed cell death", to maintain professional rigor while ensuring clarity.

Common error

Do not use "cell suicide" in contexts where it could be confused with human clinical depression or self-harm. The term is strictly biological and refers to microscopic processes. Ensure the surrounding text clarifies that the subject is cellular biology to avoid unintended sensitivity issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cell suicide" functions as a metaphorical noun phrase used to describe complex biological regulation. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often appears as an appositive, providing a layman's explanation for terms like apoptosis or programmed cell death. It follows standard English noun-noun compound rules where 'cell' modifies 'suicide' to specify the level of biological organization being discussed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "cell suicide" is a robust and scientifically valid term primarily used to describe the process of apoptosis or "programmed cell death". According to Ludwig, the phrase is ubiquitous in high-authority sources such as Nature and Science, where it serves to explain how the body maintains health by removing damaged or unnecessary cells. It is essential for processes ranging from embryonic development to the prevention of cancer. While it is a metaphorical term, it carries significant technical weight and is rarely seen in informal contexts, maintaining a high level of respectability in professional scientific discourse. Writers should feel confident using it to add clarity and narrative drive to biological descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

programmed cell death

Uses more formal, descriptive language to emphasize the genetic encoding of the process

cellular suicide

A subtle grammatical variation using the adjective form of 'cell'

apoptosis

The specific technical term for the most common form of programmed cell death

cellular self-destruction

Highlights the internal mechanism of the death process using a slightly more mechanical metaphor

PCD

A technical abbreviation frequently found in scientific papers

regulated cell death

Focuses on the controlled nature of the process rather than the 'suicide' metaphor

programmed cell demise

A more literary variation of the standard scientific terminology

necroptosis

Refers to a specific regulated form of necrosis that differs from standard apoptosis

autophagic cell death

Describes death occurring through the cell's internal recycling system

biological cell death

A broader term that may include non-programmed forms of death

FAQs

How do I use "cell suicide" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe biological regulation, for example: "When DNA damage becomes irreparable, the cell triggers a "cell suicide" program to protect the organism."

What is the scientific term for "cell suicide"?

The primary scientific term is ""apoptosis"", though it is also frequently called "programmed cell death".

Is it correct to say "cellular suicide" or "cell suicide"?

Both are grammatically correct and widely used. "cell suicide" is more common as a direct compound noun in science journalism, while "cellular suicide" is often preferred in formal academic papers.

What is the difference between "cell suicide" and necrosis?

While "cell suicide" refers to a controlled, programmed process, "necrosis" refers to accidental or traumatic cell death caused by external factors like injury or infection.