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Glite Dictionary
self-digestion

self-digestion

8.1
A plant or animal using its own enzymes to break down its tissues
  • noun
  • /sɛlf-daɪˈdʒɛstʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : autodigestión
  • Damage to the pancreas can lead to self-digestion of the organ's own tissues.

Examples

  • The process of self-digestion helps seeds use stored nutrients during germination.

  • After death, self-digestion can cause rapid tissue breakdown in the body.

  • The process of self-digestion is essential for many organisms.

  • Some plants undergo self-digestion to recycle nutrients.

  • After death, self-digestion can lead to rapid breakdown of tissues within the body.

  • Damage to the pancreas can result in self-digestion of its own tissues by enzymes.

  • The process of self-digestion allows many organisms to efficiently recycle nutrients.

Synonyms

autolysis
vsself-digestion
  • Specialized
1 9.9

The breaking down of animal or plant tissue by its own enzymes after death

is the internal breakdown process that also happens in living organisms

Surface Forms

self-digestion singular
self-digestions plural

Morphology

self-digestion = self + digestion (transparent) = self + digestion

The compound clearly means digestion carried out by the organism itself; learners who know 'self' and 'digestion' can derive the meaning.

Etymology

The word self-digestion joins self- meaning 'own' and digest meaning 'to break down'. So it describes a plant or animal 'breaking down' its own tissues, like when the body digests itself.