developmental apoptosis

Apoptosis, an evolutionarily conserved programme of cellular self-destruction, is essential for the development and survival of most multicellular animals. It is required to ensure functional organ architecture and to maintain tissue homeostasis.

During development of the simple nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, apoptosis claims over 10% of the somatic cells that are generated - these cells were healthy but unnecessary.

References

 Lettre G, Hengartner MO. Developmental apoptosis in C. elegans: a complex CEDnario. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2006 Feb;7(2):97-108. PMID: 16493416