Which process is described as the self-destruction of cells?

Which process is described as the self-destruction of cells?

• A. Autolysis
• B. Fermentation
• C. Saccharolysis
• D. Proteolysis

Answer: (A)

Self-digestion by the cell’s own enzymes is autolysis. When a cell is damaged or dies, its lysosomes release hydrolases into the cytoplasm, breaking down membranes, organelles, and other components from within. This internal digestion causes the cell to break apart, which is why autolysis is described as the cell destroying itself. By contrast, fermentation is a metabolic process for energy without oxygen, saccharolysis refers to sugar breakdown, and proteolysis is protein breakdown by enzymes (not specifically the cell’s own self-destructive process).

Self-digestion by the cell’s own enzymes is autolysis. When a cell is damaged or dies, its lysosomes release hydrolases into the cytoplasm, breaking down membranes, organelles, and other components from within. This internal digestion causes the cell to break apart, which is why autolysis is described as the cell destroying itself. By contrast, fermentation is a metabolic process for energy without oxygen, saccharolysis refers to sugar breakdown, and proteolysis is protein breakdown by enzymes (not specifically the cell’s own self-destructive process).