Can cells die? If so, explain.?
I need to know if cells die, how they die and just any more information on the death of cells! Thanks!
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
Looking deep into my past degree in molecular biology which i never use.....let's see. Cells definitely die. And there are many ways. Apoptosis is a programmed cell death. Also, cells are killed by the immune system of the host if something is wrong with them. Also, cells die when they've just been around too long. Not sure if its because proteins just break down or what.
Go to www.pubmed.com. Search under "books" for "cell death". This should take you to tons of free info.
Something I found: Cellular interactions regulate cell death in two fundamentally different ways. Most, if not all, cells in multicellular organisms require signals to stay alive. In the absence of such survival signals, frequently referred to as trophic factors, cells activate a "suicide" program. In some developmental contexts, including the immune system, specific signals induce a "murder" program that kills cells. Whether cells commit suicide for lack of survival signals or are murdered by killing signals from other cells, recent studies suggest that death is mediated by a common molecular pathway.
Molecular Cell Biology. 4th ed.
Lodish, Harvey; Berk, Arnold; Zipursky, S. Lawrence; Matsudaira, Paul; Baltimore, David; Darnell, James E.
New York: W. H. Freeman & Co.; c2000.
- 1 decade ago
Yes, they certainly do :) In the life of a normal cell, it will grow and divide until it reaches a stage of replicative senescence.
Cells can either die by necrosis or apoptosis. In apoptosis, cell undergo a series of morphological changes due to the biochemical pathways that occur within the cell. One of the major group of proteins involved are the caspases. These proteins breaks down vital proteins essential for normal metabolism of cells. They can also activate other preformed degradative enzymes in the cells (like DNase that breaks down DNA).
However, some types of cells like tumour cells have continuous cell cycle.
- Myra GLv 51 decade ago
Yes cells can die.
There are to categories of cell death
(1) Apoptosis: is a programmed cell death, or in other words the cells commit suicide.
(2) Necrosis: The cell can not control its death. There are different types of necrosis. Dry, Wet, Caseous necrosis, and fat necrosis. Gangrene can be an example.
Great question!Source(s): My pathology notes.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
yes, all life fails sooner or later. they stop mitosis, which is a regenerative act. it happens in the mitochondrial level.
the cell wall stops allowing proper chemical transfers, similar to the way an obese person eats only bad foods and neglects the proper diet. this is why you never see really old obese people.