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

Derived Forms

• autolytic, adjective

Other Words From

• au·to·lyt·ic [awt-l-, it, -ik], 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.

From Salon

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

From Fox News

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

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg