Human lymphocytic tissue culture showing several cells in early stages of cell death (apoptosis). The cytoplasm of the cells are dense and granular- indicative of relative inactivity. The large spaces in the cells are enlarged portions of the vacuolar system, indicative of accumulated cellular products. Some mitochondria have begun to vacuolate and degenerate which is indicative of metabolic slowdown. This is a rather early phase. Later phase would show severe disruption of the cytoplasm, fragmentation of the mitochondria, increased nuclear clumping and lysosomal accumulation.
