Meaning & use
Autolysis
Last updated
The self-destruction of cells or tissues by the action of their own enzymes, especially after death or injury.
See it in a sentence
Autolysis begins within hours after death, as enzymes start breaking down cell structures.
Winemakers rely on yeast autolysis to develop complex flavors during aging.
A note on using this word
Autolysis plays a key role in forensic science for estimating time of death, and in food science it's essential to processes like cheese ripening and sourdough fermentation.
Words with a similar meaning
self-digestion
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “Autolysis”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.