Final answer:
Programmed cell death, or apoptosis, is a natural process in which cells are programmed to die, playing a vital role in the development and health of organisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Programmed cell death, also known as apoptosis, is the process by which cells are purposefully led to their death in a controlled and regulated manner. This mechanism plays a crucial role in the normal development and maintenance of an organism by eliminating cells that are no longer needed, are damaged beyond repair, or could pose a risk if they continued to live, such as potentially cancerous cells. The process starts with an external signal that induces the transcription of Bcl2 genes. Proteins like Bak and Bax are involved in forming channels in the outer mitochondrial membrane, which allow the release of cytochrome C into the cytoplasm, initiating a cascade of molecular events that ultimately lead to the cell's demise.