Overview: Apoptosis - vs. Necrosis (trauma induced death)
Trauma
When a cell is traumatized it's death is often uncontrolled. The injury can disrupt the regulation of and transport of fluids across the cell membrane. Homeostasis is lost. Specific organelles (mitochondria, nucleus or others) depending on the nature of the trauma are injured possibly nonoperable. This damage causes the organelles to swell and the cell membrane to rupture. The contents of the cell is then exposed to the surrounding tissue. Which can cause inflammation.
Some typical causes of necrosis due to trauma are:- Radiation
- Toxins
- Environment changes such as salinity or pH
- Mechanical Damage
- Viral and Bacterial Infection
Apoptosis
There are many checks and balances in the cell cycle when an inducting stimulation causes programmed cell death (apoptosis). This orderly process is a beneficial to the organism as a whole. During this process, the cell packages up its contents as it shrinks wrapping them in membranes. Phagocytes are able to ingest or neutralize any harmful material.
Some typical causes of Apoptosis are:- Normal elimination of cells during organism development
- Removal of immune cells when immune response is done
- Infected Cells
- Cells with irreparable DNA damage
- Cancer Cells
The following animation will help you visualize these processes.
Flash Animation Courtesy of W.H. Freeman (http://www.whfreeman.com/)
If you cant see the flash presentation click on the button below