What term describes the controlled elimination of cells as part of normal development?

• A. Random cell elimination
• B. Programmed cell death
• C. Necrotic cell death
• D. Autolysis

Answer: (B)

Programmed cell death is the controlled elimination of cells as part of normal development. This is a regulated, purposeful process (often called apoptosis) that sculpts tissues, removes cells that are no longer needed, and helps maintain organismal balance. It proceeds through signaling cascades that activate proteases (caspases), leading to cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation, and clean removal by phagocytes with little inflammation. This differs from necrosis, which is uncontrolled cell death from injury that causes inflammation, and from autolysis, which is self-digestion by lysosomal enzymes after cell death.