Cell death signaling pathways

Cell death signaling pathways are complex processes that determine how and when a cell dies. There are two main types: apoptosis, which is a programmed and orderly cell death that helps maintain healthy tissue, and necrosis, which is often a chaotic and harmful form of cell death caused by injury or disease. These pathways involve various signals and molecules that tell the cell to either self-destruct safely or to die in a way that can lead to inflammation and damage to surrounding cells. Understanding these pathways is crucial for improving treatments for diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.