Caenorhabditis elegans is a nematode. During its development, it produces more than 1000 cells. However, the adult worm has only 959 somatic cells. The process by which 131 cells are specifically targeted for destruction is called ______________.
(a) directed cell pruning.
(b) programmed cell death.
(c) autophagy.
(d) necrosis.
Answer: B