Autolysis

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  autolysis \autolysis\ n.
     1. lysis of cells or tissues due to enzymatic activity from
        within the cell, as contrasted with externally induced
        lysis.
  
     Note: Autolysis occurs to tissues of higher animals when they


           are detached from the organism.
           [WordNet 1.5]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  autolysis
       n : lysis (self-digestion) of tissues when they are detached
           from the organism