Final answer:
Apoptosis is a type of programmed cell death that occurs in normal development or when cells are damaged. Characteristics of apoptosis include membrane blebbing, release of cellular contents into the extracellular space, and increased metabolism. Swelling of the cytoplasm is not a characteristic of apoptosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Apoptosis is a type of programmed cell death that occurs in normal development or when cells are damaged. Characteristics of apoptosis include membrane blebbing, which is the formation of blisters or bulges on the cell's surface, release of cellular contents into the extracellular space, and increased metabolism. However, swelling of the cytoplasm is not a characteristic of apoptosis.