Autolysis vs. Apoptosis — What's the Difference?

The breaking down of cells or tissues by their own enzymes. Also called self-digestion.

Apoptosis (from Ancient Greek ἀπόπτωσις, apóptōsis, "falling off") is a form of programmed cell death that occurs in multicellular organisms. Biochemical events lead to characteristic cell changes (morphology) and death.

The destruction of an organism's cells by enzymes produced by the organism itself.

A natural process of self-destruction by degradative enzymes in certain cells, such as epithelial cells and erythrocytes, that are genetically programmed to have a limited lifespan or are damaged, as by irradiation or toxic drugs. Also called programmed cell death.

(pathology) The autodigestion of the tissues of an organism.

A process of programmed cell death by which cells undergo an ordered sequence of events which leads to death of the cell, as occurs during growth and development of the organism, as a part of normal cell aging, or as a response to cellular injury.

(pathology) The autocytolysis of blood cells.

A type of cell death in which the cell uses specialized cellular machinery to kill itself; a cell suicide mechanism that enables metazoans to control cell number and eliminate cells that threaten the animal's survival

(wine) The decomposition of dead yeast cells in wine after fermentation.

(baking) A two-stage mixing process where water and flour are combined first before adding leavening and salt.

Lysis of cells or tissues due to enzymatic activity from within the cell, as contrasted with externally induced lysis.

Lysis (self-digestion) of tissues when they are detached from the organism