Final answer:
Cell apoptosis typically features DNA cleavage, chromatin condensation, and membrane blebbing, distinguishing it from necrosis. It is a regulated process essential for development and cellular homeostasis, with apoptotic bodies being a key observable characteristic.
Step-by-step explanation:
Typical characteristics of a cell undergoing apoptosis include DNA cleavage, chromatin condensation, and membrane blebbing. These features are distinct from those observed in necrotic cells, which may experience cytoplasmic swelling and loss of plasma membrane without forming apoptotic bodies. Apoptosis is a highly regulated process of programmed cell death important for development and maintaining cellular homeostasis, where cells systematically disassemble and their components are often recycled.
Cells in apoptosis exhibit a number of changes including chromatin condensation, formation of vacuoles, and changes in cell shape leading to membrane blebbing. These processes ensure that the cell's components are contained and can be phagocytosed by neighboring cells, preventing inflammation and damage to nearby tissues. The distinct morphology of apoptotic cells, such as the 'rounding' of the cell and the formation of apoptotic bodies, can often be observed under a microscope.