top of page

๐Ÿ“š > Physiology > General Physiology > Cells and Molecules_>

Autophagy and Autolysis



Autophagy

  • is a housekeeping process in which old organelles are degraded and recycled.

Intracellular membrane wraps around the organelle to be degraded

โ†“

forms a double membrane structure called autophagosome

โ†“

autophagosome merges with lysosome

โ†“ Lysosomal hydrolases digest materials inside the autophagosome

โ†“ released nutrients are reused by the cell.

  • Autophagy also supplies vital nutrients to cells when their supply from outside is scarce.

Autolysis

  • Damaged cells are removed by autolysis.

Trauma/heat/cold/chemical etc

โ†“

damage to the cell

โ†“

Lysosomes rupture

โ†“

Hydrolase enzymes are released

โ†“

1. If the damage is limited โ†’ only damaged structures are digested โ†’ cell is repaired.

2. If the damage is widespread and severe โ†’ entire cell is digested and removed โ†’ new cell is formed by mitosis of adjacent cell.

ย 

Next >>

โ–ถ๏ธ 9 Interesting Facts About Protein Synthesis and Secretion

bottom of page