Citation
Apoptosis: A Review of Programmed Cell Death
TL;DR
50-70 billion cells die through apoptosis daily in healthy adults
This comprehensive review establishes the biological foundation for organizational apoptosis. The key insight is that 50-70 billion cells die daily through programmed cell death - and this is healthy, necessary, and distinct from the chaotic death of necrosis.
For business readers, Elmore's work reframes how we think about shutting down business units. IBM's strategic divestitures follow the apoptotic pattern: controlled, systematic, and without damage to surrounding operations. Bankruptcy follows the necrotic pattern: chaotic, damaging, and leaving a mess. The difference isn't whether death happens - it's whether it's programmed.
Key Findings from Elmore (2007)
- 50-70 billion cells die through apoptosis daily in healthy adults
- Apoptosis is programmed, controlled cell death distinct from necrosis (traumatic death)
- The apoptotic pathway includes caspase activation and systematic cellular disassembly
- Cellular suicide is essential for organism health - preventing cancer, clearing damaged cells, shaping development