Describe the biological meaning of programmed cell death – apoptosis.

Apoptosis is a natural and necessary process for maintaining homeostasis in the tissues and normal development of a multicellular organism. Apoptosis, often called programmed cell death, is an energetically active, genetically controlled process that rid the body of unnecessary or damaged cells.
Apoptosis as a genetically programmed cell suicide plays a key role in a number of processes in the development of the body, its normal functioning and tissue regeneration. This phenomenon is universally used by living organisms for the controlled elimination of cells at different stages of development of an individual. Apoptosis plays a vital role in the development of the nervous system. He, in particular, makes it possible to form parts of the body as a result of the death of unnecessary tissue sections; So, our palms are formed precisely by the destruction of cells in the interdigital spaces. Studies show that apoptosis becomes crucial after completion of the body’s development processes, ensuring the systematic replacement of old cells with new ones and regulating their numbers in accordance with the needs of a mature organism.