Cell death is a common process that occurs during fetal development, infection, cell damage, and aging. It can occur in a programmed or non-programmed manner. In programmed cell death, regulated death signals lead to the killing of a specific target cell. Apoptosis and autophagy are the two main types of programmed cell death. Apoptosis is a highly regulated process that involves the degradation of cellular proteins by specific proteases called caspases. This results in cell shrinkage and the formation of apoptotic bodies. The apoptotic bodies are then phagocytosed by macrophages and surrounding cells. Autophagy is a process in which various cytoplasmic components, such as old and malformed proteins and damaged organelles, accumulate inside a double-membrane vesicle known as an autophagosome. The autophagosome fuses with a lysosome forming an autolysosome where lysosomal enzymes degrade the cytoplasmic components. Non-programmed cell death, such as necrosis, occurs when cells die accidentally due to infection, physical injury, toxins, or radiation. Necrotic cells are characterized by swelling and disintegration of their plasma membrane and organelles, resulting in cell lysis and inflammation.