Final answer:
Biological death (option B) refers to the irreversible cessation of all vital functions, including heartbeat and respiration, marking the end of an organism's life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The category of death where all vital functions, including heartbeat and respiration, end is known as biological death. Biological death refers to the irreversible loss of function of the heart, brain, kidneys, liver, and lungs, which are considered vital for survival. Thanatology is the study of death and dying, recognizing the finality of biological death as the point where the organism can no longer sustain its vital processes. Cells may also undergo programmed cell death, or apoptosis, as part of normal development or in response to damage. This is a highly regulated process by which cells autonomously execute their death in a manner that typically does not provoke inflammation.