The nuclei have a condensed chromatin. The term apoptosis is derived from the Greek word that signifies the dropping of leaves from the trees. In contrast to necrosis that involves a group of cells simultaneously, apoptosis may occur in a single cell surrounded by a group of viable cells. There is a distinct and precisely localized control over the fate of specific cells in a mixed cell population that undergo apoptosis.
Apoptosis is a selective process for deletion of cells in various biological systems.
TNF-alpha is one of the prime signals that induces apoptosis in a host of cells. This insight would be useful for devising strategies in the treatment of cancer and inflammatory responses that involve TNF-alpha.