Final answer:
Caspases in non-apoptotic cells are present as procaspases, inactive enzymes that are activated to induce apoptosis upon the appropriate signaling.
Step-by-step explanation:
In cells that are not undergoing apoptosis, caspases exist in the cell as an inactive precursor known as procaspases. These procaspases are proteolytic enzymes that are already present within the cell and are converted to their active form when apoptotic signaling is initiated. This transition is often a result of signals that mediate programmed cell death, where internal or external factors can lead to the activation of these enzymes to start the process of apoptosis, allowing the cell to undergo a controlled demolition to avoid harming neighboring cells. The mitochondria, upon receiving an apoptotic signal, contribute to the release of cytochrome C, which then binds to adaptor proteins, resulting in the activation of procaspases to active caspases, initiating cellular degradation.