Autolysis

Autolysis
The enzymatic digestion of cells by enzymes present within them. The cells most susceptible to autolysis tend to be dying or dead cells. Pronounced aw-tol´i-sis.
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1. Enzymatic digestion of cells (especially dead or degenerate) by enzymes present within them (autogenous). 2. Destruction of cells as a result of a lysin formed in those cells or others in the same organism. SYN: autocytolysis, autodigestion, isophagy. [auto- + G. lysis, dissolution]

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au·tol·y·sis -ə-səs n, pl -y·ses -ə-.sēz breakdown of all or part of a cell or tissue by self-produced enzymes called also self-digestion
au·to·lyt·ic .ȯt-əl-'it-ik adj

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n.
the destruction of tissues or cells brought about by the actions of their own enzymes. See lysosome.

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au·tol·y·sis (aw-tolґĭ-sis) [auto- + -lysis] digestion of cellular components by endogenous hydrolases released from lysosomes following cell death, seen as a postmortem change and in certain pathological conditions.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • autolysis — n. 1. lysis of cells or tissues due to enzymatic activity from within the cell, as contrasted with externally induced lysis. Note: Autolysis occurs to tissues of higher animals when they are detached from the organism. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • autolysis — [ô täl′ə sis] n. [ AUTO + LYSIS] the destruction of cells or tissues by their own enzymes, as after death or in some diseases autolytic [ôt΄ə lit′ik] adj …   English World dictionary

  • Autolysis (biology) — In biology autolysis may refer to the destruction of a cell through the action of its own enzymes. It may also refer to the digestion of an enzyme by another molecule of the same enzyme. The term derives from the Greek words αυτό ( self ) and… …   Wikipedia

  • autolysis — noun Etymology: New Latin Date: 1902 breakdown of all or part of a cell or tissue by self produced enzymes • autolytic adjective …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • autolysis — the breakdown of proteins, fats and other body components of fish after death caused by the action of enzymes. The rate depends on temperature …   Dictionary of ichthyology

  • autolysis — n. [Gr. autos, self; lysis, loosen] The degradation of tissues after death of a cell by the contained autogenous enzymes. autolytic a; see heterolysis …   Dictionary of invertebrate zoology

  • autolysis — Spontaneous lysis (rupture) of cells or organelles produced by the release of internal hydrolyic enzymes. Normally associated with the release of lysosomal enzymes …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • autolysis — autolytic /awt l it ik/, adj. /aw tol euh sis/, n. Biochem. the breakdown of plant or animal tissue by the action of enzymes contained in the tissue affected; self digestion. [1900 05; AUTO 1 + LYSIS] * * * …   Universalium

  • autolysis — noun a) The destruction of an organisms cells by enzymes produced by the organism itself. b) The autodigestion of the tissues of an organism …   Wiktionary

  • autolysis — n. breakdown of tissue as a result of digestive enzymes present in the tissue (symptom of malnutrition) …   English contemporary dictionary

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