The basic unit of life and death is the cell. The two main modes of cell death, cell death with necrosis and apoptosis, are characterized by relatively easily recognizable, different morphologic changes before, during and after the cell has died. However, more recent advanced investigations of the physiologic, biochemical and genetic aspects of cell death have produced a wealth of information. But, the final analysis of this embarrassment of riches awaits the accumulation of more knowledge and understanding of how all the pieces fit together and relate to each other. Currently, the analyses are complicated by the isolated and narrow scope of the experimental subjects, a lack of uniformity of nomenclature and missing information that would allow successful understanding of the "big picture." Some causes and mechanisms of heat-induced cellular and tissue death will be considered from anatomical, pathological, physiological, biochemical and genetic aspects.

Date Published: 23 February 2009
PDF: 15 pages
Proc. SPIE 7181, Energy-based Treatment of Tissue and Assessment V, 718102 (23 February 2009); doi: 10.1117/12.828621

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7181:
Energy-based Treatment of Tissue and Assessment V
Thomas P. Ryan, Editor(s)