Which of the following best describes a characteristic of apoptosis?

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Apoptosis is best described as a controlled process of cell death. This process is essential for maintaining homeostasis in multicellular organisms and is characterized by a series of well-regulated steps, which include cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and DNA fragmentation. Unlike necrosis, which is an uncontrolled form of cell death often resulting in inflammation and damage to surrounding tissues, apoptosis is a neatly regulated system that allows cells to die in a manner that minimizes impact on neighboring cells. This is crucial during development and in regulating cell populations in tissues. The controlled nature of apoptosis ensures that damaged or unnecessary cells are eliminated without provoking significant inflammatory responses, thereby promoting overall tissue health and function.

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