Final answer:
Apoptosis is a controlled, non-inflammatory programmed cell death, whereas necrosis is an accidental, inflammatory cell death. Both have distinct molecular pathways, and understanding them is crucial in diseases like cancer where this balance is perturbed.
Step-by-step explanation:
Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that occurs in a regulated and controlled manner, which is essential for removing cells that are no longer needed or are potentially harmful to an organism. During apoptosis, several checkpoints monitor cell health to initiate the process if abnormalities are found. This can happen through internal signals or external signaling, such as the detachment from the extracellular matrix, which would stop the survival signals and initiate apoptosis. This helps prevent uncontrolled cellular proliferation.
Conversely, necrosis is a form of accidental cell death that typically results from acute injury or damage, leading to the uncontrolled release of the cell's contents, potentially causing inflammation or further damage to surrounding tissues. Damaged cells may release molecules known as DAMPs (Danger-Associated Molecular Patterns), that can initiate a controlled cell death cascade.
D