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AUTOLYSIS

 - 4 dictionary results

au⋅tol⋅y⋅sis

  [aw-tol-uh-sis]
Use AUTOLYSIS in a Sentence
–noun Biochemistry.
the breakdown of plant or animal tissue by the action of enzymes contained in the tissue affected; self-digestion.
Origin:
1900–05; auto- 1 + -lysis

Related forms:
au⋅to⋅lyt⋅ic  [awt-l-it-ik] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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au·tol·y·sis   (ô-tŏl'ĭ-sĭs)   
n.  The destruction of tissues or cells of an organism by the action of substances, such as enzymes, that are produced within the organism. Also called self-digestion.
au'to·lyt'ic (ô'tə-lĭt'ĭk) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: au·tol·y·sis
Pronunciation: -&-s&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural au·tol·y·ses /-&-"sEz/
: breakdown of all or part of a cell or tissue by self-produced enzymes called also self-digestion —au·to·lyt·ic /"ot-&l-'it-ik/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

autolysis au·tol·y·sis (ô-tŏl'ĭ-sĭs)
n.

  1. The destruction of tissues or cells of an organism by the action of substances, such as enzymes, that are produced within the organism.

  2. Self-destruction of tissues within the living body. Also called autodigestion.

  3. The hemolytic action of blood serum or plasma upon its own cells. Also called autocytolysis.

au'to·lyt'ic (ô'tə-lĭt'ĭk) adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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