NEURAL APOPTOSIS Meaning and
Definition
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Neural apoptosis refers to the process of programmed cell death in neural tissue or neurons. The term "neural" pertains to the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. "Apoptosis" is a form of cell death that is distinct from necrosis, as it is a tightly regulated and controlled process involved in the elimination of unnecessary or damaged cells.
During neural apoptosis, specific neurons within the nervous system undergo a series of molecular and cellular changes that lead to their self-destruction. This process is crucial for shaping and refining the neural circuitry, as it eliminates excessive or incorrectly connected neurons during development. It plays a vital role in sculpting the mature nervous system and ensures proper functionality.
The mechanisms that trigger neural apoptosis involve a cascade of biochemical events. These events can be influenced by a variety of factors, including genetic programming, environmental cues, and signaling molecules. Key molecules involved in the process include caspases, which are enzymes responsible for initiating and executing cell death pathways, and Bcl-2 family proteins, which regulate the balance between cell survival and death signals.
Although neural apoptosis is primarily associated with embryonic development and nervous system patterning, it can also occur in the mature nervous system under certain conditions. It is involved in neurodegenerative diseases and injury responses, where excessive or inappropriate apoptosis can lead to neurologic disorders. Understanding the processes behind neural apoptosis is essential for comprehending brain development, neural plasticity, and the pathophysiology of various neurological disorders.
Common Misspellings for NEURAL APOPTOSIS
- beural apoptosis
- meural apoptosis
- jeural apoptosis
- heural apoptosis
- nwural apoptosis
- nsural apoptosis
- ndural apoptosis
- nrural apoptosis
- n4ural apoptosis
- n3ural apoptosis
- neyral apoptosis
- nehral apoptosis
- nejral apoptosis
- neiral apoptosis
- ne8ral apoptosis
- ne7ral apoptosis
- neueal apoptosis
- neudal apoptosis
- neufal apoptosis
- neutal apoptosis
Etymology of NEURAL APOPTOSIS
The word "neural" is derived from the Greek word "neuron", which means "nerve". "Apoptosis", on the other hand, originates from the Greek word "apoptōsis", which means "falling off" or "dropping off". In the context of biology, apoptosis refers to programmed cell death, a natural process of cell elimination in living organisms. Combining the terms "neural" and "apoptosis" gives "neural apoptosis", which specifically refers to the process of programmed cell death in neural cells or neurons.
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