The effect of heat shock (HS) on death, weight and membrane leakage of mung bean seedlings as well as on early biochemical markers of PCD (cytochrome c release from mitochondria and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation) was studied. It was found that heat shock ranging from 48-55℃ stimulated the releasing of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol and the nuclear DNA fragmentation occurred during the first six hours of heat treatment. Sublethal heat shock (48℃) gives rise to non-ladder DNA degradation. Lethal heat shock (50 and 55℃) generates two types, ladder and non-ladder, DNA degradation. Internucleosomal (ladder) DNA fragmentation and cytochrome c releasing suggest the programmed cell death occurs in mung bean seedling induced by heat shock.