• Question: how to they die

    Asked by tomwalker529 to Dr D on 19 Jun 2013. This question was also asked by hazattack, drelmo, patience.
    • Photo: Andrew Devitt

      Andrew Devitt answered on 19 Jun 2013:

      There are lots of things that can trigger our cells to die.

      Mutation, infection, damage, ageing and these cells all die by a process known as apoptosis. Inside the cell the DNA and proteins get chopped up. On the surface of the cell, they stick out little adverts that say ‘eat me’. This then allows other cells to see they are ready to eat and they get eaten. Really clever and super quick.

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