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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
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forms a double membrane structure called autophagosome
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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
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damage to the cell
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Lysosomes rupture
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Hydrolase enzymes are released
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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.