Sejthalálfolyamat

Sejthalálfolyamat refers to the biological processes that lead to cell death. This is a fundamental aspect of multicellular life, essential for development, tissue homeostasis, and defense against disease. There are two primary forms of programmed cell death: apoptosis and autophagy. Apoptosis is a highly regulated and genetically controlled process characterized by cellular shrinkage, DNA fragmentation, and the formation of apoptotic bodies that are then cleared by phagocytes. It plays a crucial role in embryonic development, removing damaged cells, and eliminating infected or cancerous cells. Autophagy, meaning "self-eating," is a cellular degradation process where the cell breaks down its own components, such as damaged organelles or misfolded proteins, using lysosomes. While often associated with survival under stress, excessive autophagy can also lead to cell death.

Beyond programmed cell death, cells can also die through necrosis, which is typically an accidental and uncontrolled process triggered by external factors like injury, infection, or toxins. Necrotic cells swell and lyse, releasing their contents into the surrounding environment, which can incite inflammation. Understanding the mechanisms and triggers of these different cell death pathways is vital in fields ranging from developmental biology and immunology to cancer research and neurodegenerative disease. Dysregulation of sejthalálfolyamat is implicated in a wide array of pathologies.