ABSTRACT
Cell death mechanisms can be classifi ed upon morphological criteria as belonging to the following groups: necrosis, apoptosis, and autophagy. Th e distinctions between these various modes may not be apparent, and certain degrees of overlap may exist. However, since defi ning the mode of cell death may be physiologically important, its classifi cation based upon morphological and cytochemical standards is oft en desirable. Apoptosis as a mode of cell death was defi ned in the 1970s by morphological alterations in cells detectable by transmitted light and electron microscopy. Today, a virtual farrago of imaging and cytochemical techniques are available for the characterization of apoptosis. Th is chapter will attempt to
highlight many of these methods, and provide a critique on the advantages and disadvantages associated with them for the specifi c identifi cation of apoptotic cells in culture and tissues.
