Cells can die through injury or programmed cell death (apoptosis). During apoptosis, cells shrink, bleb, condense their DNA, and break into fragments that are phagocytosed. Apoptosis is triggered by the withdrawal of survival signals or receipt of death signals and involves three pathways - intrinsic/mitochondrial, extrinsic/death receptor, or apoptosis-inducing factor release. All pathways activate caspases that dismantle the cell in an orderly manner.