Which statement is true about apoptosis?

Apoptosis is a highly regulated process of programmed cell death that is essential for maintaining homeostasis in multicellular organisms. The statement regarding the regulated proteolytic cascade accurately reflects a critical component of the apoptosis mechanism.

During apoptosis, a series of cysteine proteases known as caspases are activated in a cascade manner. This proteolytic cascade serves to dismantle the cell systematically and safely, preventing inflammation or damage to surrounding tissues, which can occur with uncontrolled cell death. The caspases are activated in response to specific signals, both internal (such as DNA damage) and external (such as signals from other cells), highlighting the intricately controlled nature of apoptosis.

Unlike the other statements, which either suggest randomness, limitation to abnormal cells, or exclusivity to internal signals, the regulated nature of apoptosis ensures that it can occur in various contexts, such as during development, maintaining tissue homeostasis, or in response to cellular stress. This regulation is crucial for the organism's overall health, ensuring that cells die in a manner that is beneficial rather than detrimental.