How does apoptosis differ from necrosis?

Apoptosis and necrosis are two different processes of cell death that have distinct characteristics. The correct answer highlights one of the primary differences in their morphological and physiological outcomes.

In necrosis, cells typically undergo swelling and ultimately rupture, leading to the release of their contents into the extracellular space. This uncontrolled release can trigger inflammation and damage to nearby tissues, as it results in the spilling of cellular components that are not meant to be exposed outside the cell.

On the other hand, apoptosis is a highly regulated and programmed process of cell death that involves a series of organized cellular events. During apoptosis, cells shrink and condense, which is a key factor in distinguishing it from necrosis. This shrinkage is often accompanied by the fragmentation of the cell into small, membrane-bound apoptotic bodies that can be effectively cleared by phagocytic cells without inciting an inflammatory response.

This fundamental difference in how cells change shape—swelling and bursting in necrosis versus shrinking and condensing in apoptosis—underscores the distinct physiological roles these processes serve in maintaining tissue homeostasis and responding to cellular damage.