If enzymatic degradation is the dominant element then dead cells are likely to be completely removed.

This process may be accomplished by the activation of enzymes which are normally present within the affected cell.

This process of self-digestion is known as autolysis.

The enzymes are derived largely from lysosomes.

The precise sequence of events leading to the activation and release of lysosomal enzymes is not known, but it is likely that a decrease in the intracellular pH is an important factor.

Release of lysosomal enzymes in cell death can be inferred from the following:

- Ultracentrifugal fractionation of dead cells shows that  lysosomal enzymes are no longer particle-bound but appear in the supernatant.

- There is evidence of enzymatic digestion of cell components in the loss of both DNA and RNA protein and glycogen.

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