Apoptosis (programmed cell death) or cell annihilation imparts important role during various normal physiological systems of human body. Moreover, the inappropriate rate of apoptosis has been linked with pathophysiology of various diseases like preeclampsia, alzheimer's disease huntington's disease autoimmune diseases and various cancers. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of apoptosis becomes the utmost priority. This review focuses on the morphological changes occuring during the process of apoptosis and the major apoptotic signaling pathways involved during this physiological phenomenon.