Which of the following best describes necrosis?

Necrosis is most accurately described as cell death that occurs due to disease or injury. This process is characterized by the unregulated breakdown of cells, typically as a result of factors such as lack of blood supply (ischemia), infection, or toxic substances. Unlike apoptosis, which is a programmed and controlled mechanism of cell death that serves a normal physiological function, necrosis is often associated with inflammation and can lead to further tissue damage.

In pathological conditions, necrosis indicates that cells have been overtaken by disease processes or physical trauma, resulting in cell lysis and a subsequent inflammatory response. The other options describe either normal cellular processes or mechanisms that do not encompass the traumatic and uncontrolled nature of necrosis. Hence, option C captures the essence of necrosis more accurately than the alternatives.