Increased cellular metabolism and resistance to apoptosis are two hallmarks of cell transformation. Recent progress in the understanding of the role of mitochondria in controlling apoptosis has brought attention to the links between elements of the apoptotic machinery and cellular metabolism. Here, we review the coordinated effects of growth factor withdrawal on bioenergetics and programmed cell death, and discuss the metabolic consequences of genes that prevent apoptosis, including the BCL2 family of genes and AKT.