autolysis

[aw-tol-uh-sis]

noun

Biochemistry.

1. the breakdown of plant or animal tissue by the action of enzymes contained in the tissue affected; self-digestion.

autolysis

/ ɔːˈtɒlɪsɪs, ˌɔːtəˈlɪtɪk /

noun

1. the destruction of cells and tissues of an organism by enzymes produced by the cells themselves

Other Word Forms

• autolytic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of autolysis¹

First recorded in 1900–05; auto- ¹ + -lysis

Word History and Origins

Origin of autolysis¹

C20: via German from Greek autos self + lusis loosening, release

Example Sentences

Cells deprived of oxygen start digesting themselves in a process called autolysis.

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According to researchers, brains tend to decompose quickly after death in a rapid process of autolysis, where enzymes break up the tissue.

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How utterly unmechanical a living body is, at least how far it transcends mere mechanics is shown by what the chemists call "autolysis."

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Substances rich in the vitamine apparently yield the latter more readily if they have first been subjected to autolysis or if the extracting fluid is acidified.

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However, Osborne and Wakeman have produced a method of treating fresh yeast by boiling it with slightly acidified water which seem as efficient as autolysis in the yield produced.

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