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The science of cellular suicide. (research on cell death)
- Article from:
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Science News
- Article date:
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December 5, 1987
- Author:
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Copyright informationCOPYRIGHT 1987 Science Service, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The science of cellular suicide
From the earliest days of an organism's development, right up until the bitter end, new cells are born and old ones die. Moreover, cell death can occur in predictable patterns, especially during embryonic development. The fetal hand, for example, looks at first like a paddle. Fingers emerge only after the death of parallel rows of cells.
But what is the actual mechanism of programmed cell death? Do cells simply wither away when their time has come, or do they play an active role in their own demise? Recent research suggests that cells may have suicidal tendencies.
Lawrence M. Schwartz and Brian K. Kay, at the University of North ...