Apoptosis is a process of programmed cell death that occurs naturally in the body to eliminate damaged or unwanted cells. It involves a series of complex signaling pathways, which ultimately leads to the fragmentation of the cell into small apoptotic bodies that are easily cleared by phagocytic cells. Dysregulation of apoptosis can lead to a variety of diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, and degenerative disorders. Understanding the mechanisms of apoptosis is essential for the development of new therapies to treat these diseases.