What are Dead Cells Called?
Dead cells can be referred to in several ways depending on the context and the cause of their death. There isn't one single name.
The term "dead cells" is a general term. More specific terminology exists based on how the cells died:
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Apoptotic cells: These cells undergo programmed cell death (apoptosis), a naturally occurring process where cells self-destruct in a controlled manner. This is a physiological process, unlike necrosis. This is mentioned in several sources like this one: "Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that happens when cells naturally self-destruct or die."
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Necrotic cells: These cells die due to injury, infection, or other external factors. Necrosis is a non-physiological process, unlike apoptosis. The provided text states that "[necrosis is a non-physiological process that occurs as a result of infection or injury.](Overview of signal transduction pathways involved in apoptosis.)"
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Cells undergoing autophagy: Autophagy, or Type II cell death, is another form of programmed cell death, different from apoptosis.
In the context of immune system function, dead cells are often referred to as being cleared by other cells:
- Efferocytosis: This is the process where cells, such as macrophages ("great eaters"), engulf and remove dead cells through phagocytosis ("cell eating"). As stated in one source: "Efferocytosis requires cells called macrophages to remove the dead cells using a mechanism known as phagocytosis, or cell eating." Another reference notes that a protein called MFG-E8 plays a role in signaling this process. "A protein called MFG-E8 signals phagocytes to surround and ingest apoptotic cells."
The term "dead cells" itself is also used in video games and other contexts, as seen in the Reddit thread discussing the game Dead Cells: "My headcanon is because the main character is dead and bodies are nothing more than a whole bunch of cells packed together, which makes the main character a…"
Therefore, there's no single, universally applicable name for dead cells. The appropriate term depends on the mechanism of death and the context.
