cellular suicide

[ˈsɛljələr ˈsuːɪsaɪd]
nounpl: cellular suicides
suicídio celular
1. A biological process in which a cell actively participates in its own death through programmed mechanisms, primarily apoptosis
Cellular suicide, or apoptosis, is essential for removing damaged cells from the body.
O suicídio celular, ou apoptose, é essencial para remover células danificadas do corpo.
2. In cancer research and immunology, the deliberate destruction of a cell by its own internal mechanisms as a defense strategy
Researchers are exploring how to trigger cellular suicide in cancer cells to stop tumor growth.
Os pesquisadores estão explorando como desencadear o suicídio celular em células cancerígenas para interromper o crescimento do tumor.
This is primarily a scientific and medical term used in both American and Brazilian academic and clinical settings. While 'cellular suicide' is an accurate descriptive term, the Greek term 'apoptosis' is more commonly used in professional scientific literature in English. In Portuguese, both 'suicídio celular' and 'apoptose' are used, though apoptose is increasingly preferred in contemporary medical research.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
apoptosisprogrammed cell deathPCDautolysis
Antonyms / Antônimos
cellular proliferationcell growthmitosis

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
suicídio celular
Standard medical terminology used in Brazilian universities and hospitals
Portugal
suicídio celular
Same terminology used in Portuguese medical and scientific contexts
USA/English-speaking
apoptosis
The preferred scientific term in English-speaking countries

Related Words

apoptosisnecrosisautophagycell deathprogrammed cell deathcaspasemitochondria

Related Idioms & Phrases

programmed cell death pathway
triggering apoptosis
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