A form of programmed cell death induced by external or internal signals that trigger the activity of proteolytic caspases, whose actions dismantle the cell and result in cell death. Apoptosis begins internally with condensation and subsequent fragmentation of the cell nucleus (blebbing) while the plasma membrane remains intact. Other characteristics of apoptosis include DNA fragmentation and the exposure of phosphatidyl serine on the cell surface [goid 6915] [evidence IEA]; A process that directly activates any of the steps required for cell death by apoptosis [goid 6917] [pmid 12032915] [evidence NAS]; The immediate defensive reaction (by vertebrate tissue) to infection or injury caused by chemical or physical agents. The process is characterized by local vasodilation, extravasation of plasma into intercellular spaces and accumulation of white blood cells and macrophages [goid 6954] [pmid 12093792] [evidence IMP]; The cascade of processes by which a signal interacts with a receptor, causing a change in the level or activity of a second messenger or other downstream target, and ultimately effecting a change in the functioning of the cell [goid 7165] [pmid 11786556] [evidence NAS]; The series of events required for an organism to receive an auditory stimulus, convert it to a molecular signal, and recognize and characterize the signal. Sonic stimuli are detected in the form of vibrations and are processed to form a sound [goid 7605] [evidence IEA]; The series of events in which a biotic stimulus, one caused or produced by a living organism, is received and converted into a molecular signal [goid 9595] [pmid 15967716] [evidence TAS]; Any process that stops, prevents or reduces the frequency, rate or extent of the activity of the transcription factor NF-kappaB [goid 32088] [pmid 14662828] [evidence IDA]; Any process that stops, prevents or reduces the frequency, rate or extent of the transfer of NF-kappaB, a transcription factor for eukaryotic RNA polymerase II promoters, from the cytoplasm into the nucleus, across the nuclear membrane [goid 42347] [pmid 14662828] [evidence IDA]; Any process that activates or increases the activity of a caspase, any of a group of cysteine proteases involved in apoptosis [goid 43280] [pmid 15030775] [evidence IDA]; Any process that activates or increases the frequency, rate or extent of the regulated release of interleukin-1 beta from a cell or group of cells [goid 50718] [pmid 15030775] [evidence IDA]; The process of creating protein oligomers, compounds composed of a small number, usually between three and ten, of component monomers; protein oligomers may be composed of different or identical monomers. Oligomers may be formed by the polymerization of a number of monomers or the depolymerization of a large protein polymer [goid 51259] [pmid 15967716] [evidence TAS]