Biological process

The change in the morphology of the mitochondria in an apoptotic cell from a highly branched network to a fragmented vesicular form.

mitochondrial fission during apoptosis

Although most of the processes described under 'apoptotic mitochondrial changes' take place during the signaling phase of apoptosis, 'mitochondrial fragmentation involved in apoptotic process' cannot be confidently placed there. It is still controversial whether this process is involved in the signaling phase of apoptosis or not, so it was placed under the more generic 'apoptotic mitochondrial changes' parent rather than linked to the signaling or the execution phase until further research clarifies the matter.