Final answer:
Apoptosis is the process of programmed cell death that occurs when a cell is damaged or poses a threat to the organism. It allows cells to die in a controlled manner to prevent the release of harmful molecules. This process can be triggered by internal abnormalities or external signaling.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a cell is damaged, superfluous, or potentially dangerous to an organism, it can initiate a mechanism called apoptosis, which is programmed cell death. Apoptosis allows a cell to die in a controlled manner to prevent the release of potentially damaging molecules. This process can be triggered by internal abnormalities or external signaling, such as binding of cellular receptors to the extracellular matrix.