What is the main characteristic of necrosis compared to apoptosis?

Necrosis is primarily characterized by an inflammatory response. This type of cell death often results from factors such as infection, ischemia, or toxins, leading to cell swelling, rupture, and the release of cellular contents into the surrounding tissue. This release triggers an inflammatory response as the immune system reacts to the damage and the presence of cellular debris.

In contrast, apoptosis is a programmed and tightly regulated process of cell death that occurs without the inflammatory response. Apoptotic cells typically undergo shrinkage, fragmentation, and are cleared away by neighboring cells or macrophages without causing damage to the surrounding tissue.

Understanding the distinction between necrosis and apoptosis is crucial in pathology, as the processes have different implications for tissue homeostasis, disease progression, and responses to injury.