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Apoptosis is a strictly regulated process that leads to orderly cell breakdown and clearance. Unlike necrotic cell death, apoptosis is well regulated and plays a critical role in development, immune function, and tissue homeostasis. Normal cells undergo apoptosis when subjected to various endogenous and exogenous stimuli to maintain a balance between cell survival and death. 

Apoptotic cells exhibit unique characteristics such as DNA fragmentation, vacuolization of cell and plasma membrane, and formation of apoptotic bodies - cell fragments produced by apoptotic cell death. Specific cell surface markers, such as phosphatidylserine, distinguish apoptosis from other forms of cell death, such as necrosis. A key factor in cell apoptosis is that clearing cells does not cause tissue inflammation. Phagocytes and inflammatory cells can effectively eliminate apoptotic cells and apoptotic bodies without causing further damage to the tissue microenvironment.