Apoptosis is a physiological, genetically controlled autodestructive process in cells that is activated by a perishing cell in situations in which it has become useless, undesirable or harmful for the tissue or the organism. Apoptosis occurs in all multicellular and certain unicellular organisms, and is of fundamental importance in resistance to viruses and bacteria, in morphogenesis, homeostasis, ontogenesis, and in the functioning of the immune system, as well as in responses to various injuries, particularly in degenerative and oncogenic diseases. Reviewed briefly are fundamental pieces of knowledge on the morphology and mechanism of apoptosis, particularly on the degradation of DNA, activation of proteases, transduction of the apoptotic signal, genetic regulation of the process of apoptosis, and on the significance of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of certain diseases.

        Key words: apoptosis - review article - basic data