Apoptosis, muerte celular fisiológica, reseña histórica y actualidad. Apoptosis, Physiological Cell Death, Historical Review and Current Status.

ESPINOSA MARÍA B.

Revista de Educación en Biología

A.D.Bi.A.

Año: 2014 vol. 17 p. 153 - 159

The concept of Programmed Cell Death (PCD) is used since 1951. In 1972 the idea of the physiological cell death and the term apoptosis was established. Apoptosis occurs in embryonic cells, at specific times, and it is crucial for the embryos development. The tissues are remodeled by cell death under genetic control and without damage to the surrounding tissue. If the normal mitosis/apoptosis rate is altered during the tissue formation, may appear defects after birth. The physiological meaning of PCD is different from necrosis. Necrosis is accidental, damaged cells are removed from the tissues using the inflammatory process. Apoptosis has evolved in life organisms because is necessary for morphogenesis and differentiation into specialized and complex tissues. In this work we review the understanding of apoptosis during the past 42 years.   Key words: Apoptosis. Embryology. History.