The term " programmed cell death " or " programmed cell death " (PCD , programmed cell death called ) is determined genetically controlled process of cell death eukaryotic organisms , induced by endogenous or exogenous factors and implemented through the launch of the same cell molecular mechanisms leading to her death . PCD is a broader concept than apoptosis - the death of an animal cell with a distinctive morphotype and internukleosomalnym cutting nDNA , the main determinant biochemical execution phase .