What is necrosis?

Necrosis refers to a type of cell death that occurs as a result of damage to the cells or when they experience deprivation of essential nutrients, such as oxygen or energy. This form of cell death is typically unregulated and arises from various pathological conditions, including trauma, infection, toxins, and lack of blood supply. Unlike programmed cell death—such as apoptosis, which is a controlled process that allows organisms to manage cell turnover and development—necrosis is characterized by a lack of such regulation. Cells undergoing necrosis often swell and burst, releasing their contents into the surrounding tissue and potentially leading to inflammation. This distinction is essential for understanding how different types of cell death contribute to various biological processes and diseases.