The breaking down and destruction of a cell caused by its own internal enzymes, rather than by external forces or other organisms.
From Greek 'auto-' (self) + 'lysis' (loosening, dissolution). This biological term was formalized in the late 19th century as scientists studied cell death.
Your cells are basically equipped with their own self-destruct buttons—when a cell decides it's time to go or gets damaged, it triggers autolysis to shut itself down cleanly before it causes problems for the rest of your body.
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