Apoptosis
	• Apoptosis is a tightly regulated form of cell death, also called the programmed cell death.  Morphologically, it is characterized by chromatin condensation and cell shrinkage in the early stage.  Then the nucleus and cytoplasm fragment, forming membrane-bound apoptotic bodies which can be engulfed by phagocytes. In contrast, cells undergo another form of cell death, necrosis, swell and rupture.  The released intracellular contents can damage surrounding cells and often cause inflammation.