Final answer:
Necrosis describes the death of cells caused by factors such as cell swelling and the breakdown of organelles due to external stresses such as infection or chemical exposure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that describes cellular death caused by severe cell swelling and the breakdown of organelles is Necrosis. Necrosis is a form of cell injury which results in the premature death of cells in living tissue and is caused by factors external to the cell or tissue, such as infection, toxins, or trauma. The distinguishing feature of necrosis is the severe cell swelling, and the breakdown of organelles which can result from a variety of stressors including loss of blood supply, infection, or chemical exposure. In contrast, Apoptosis is a programmed cell death process that is a normal part of development and health maintenance.