paraptosis

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par·a·pto·sis / ˌparə(p)ˈtōsis/ • n. a system of programmed cell death in which empty spaces form in the cell cytoplasm and the mitochondria swells, causing the cell to lose its vitality. It differs from apoptosis in that the cell does not fragment.DERIVATIVES: par·a·ptot·ic / ˌparə(p)ˈtätik; -ˈtōtik/ adj.