Cell death is a natural process that our bodies use to keep everything working properly. There are three main ways that programmed cell death (PCD) happens:

1. Apoptosis:

   • This is a tidy way for cells to die.
   • It uses special proteins called caspases, and there are over 14 of these in humans.
   • Every day, about 50 billion cells die this way in the human body!
   • Apoptosis can start for two reasons: it can be triggered from inside the cell (we call this intrinsic) or from outside signals (which we call extrinsic).

2. Necroptosis:

   • This is a more controlled version of cell death that happens when certain proteins (RIPK1 and RIPK3) are activated.
   • Necroptosis is important for our immune system and is linked to diseases that cause inflammation.

3. Autophagy:

   • This process recycles parts of the cell that are old or damaged.
   • Sometimes, it helps the cell survive tough situations, but it can also lead to cell death if things get too stressful.

These different ways of cell death are important in many diseases, like cancer, brain disorders, and autoimmune diseases. Understanding them can help us learn how to fight these illnesses better.