autolysis

  1. Noun.  (context, pathology) The destruction of an organism's cells by enzymes produced by the organism itself.
  2. Noun.  (pathology) The autodigestion of the tissues of an organism.
  3. Noun.  (pathology) The autocytolysis of blood cells.
  4. Noun.  The decomposition of dead yeast cells in wine after fermentation.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.