autolysis
/ɔ:'toulaisis/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The breakdown of cells or tissues by their own enzymes: "Autolysis" refers specifically to the self-digestion or destruction of cells through the action of their own enzymes, typically occurring after death or in damaged tissue.
Usage
- General Context: The term is used primarily in biological, medical, and biochemical contexts to describe a natural, internal process of decomposition.
- Formal/Technical Writing: It is a standard term in scientific literature.
Examples
- Noun:
- After the cell dies, autolysis begins, breaking down its components.
- The process of autolysis in yeast is crucial for the production of certain food products.
Advanced Usage
- "to undergo autolysis": to experience the process of self-digestion.
- The tissue sample was left to undergo autolysis for analysis.
Variants and Related Words
- Autolytic (adj): relating to or causing autolysis.
- The autolytic process was observed under the microscope.
Synonyms
- Self-digestion: The process of digesting oneself.
- Self-lysis: The disintegration of a cell by its own enzymes.
Different Meanings
- This word has a single, specific scientific meaning related to biology and biochemistry. It does not have common idiomatic or figurative uses.
Notes
- The term is highly specialized and not commonly used in everyday conversation. It is almost exclusively found in academic, medical, or scientific discussions.
Noun
- lysis of plant or animal tissue by an internal process