For a long time apoptosis has been considered the only type of programmed cell death responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis in the organism. However, the results of studies, which have been carried out for the last years, prove that depending on its type, the cell can be guided in different directions, which can result either in its survival or death. According to the NCCD Committee, apoptosis and autophagy are ranked as two types of cell death.

In this paper current knowledge concerning the role of mitochondria in plant programmed cell death (PCD) is presented. It has been already suggested that plant mitochondria, similarly to animal ones, can induce PCD. Senescence process in plants which engages PCD mechanisms involves transport and redistribution of metabolites what require energy generated in mitochondria. It seems therefore that PCD in plants might proceed in different way than animal apoptosis.