Summary
A recycling pathway in which cytoplasmic components are enclosed in autophagosomes and degraded by lysosomes.
In depth
Cells form a double-membraned autophagosome around damaged organelles or protein aggregates; it fuses with a lysosome and the contents are degraded and recycled. It is activated by starvation through mTOR inhibition.
Autophagy removes damaged mitochondria (mitophagy) and pathogens, and defects are linked to neurodegeneration and cancer. Yoshinori Ohsumi won the 2016 Nobel Prize for revealing its mechanisms.
Frequently asked questions
What is Autophagy?
A recycling pathway in which cytoplasmic components are enclosed in autophagosomes and degraded by lysosomes.
Which area of biology covers Autophagy, and how advanced is it?
Autophagy is one of the 52 topics in Cell Biology. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Cytoplasm, Lysosome, Apoptosis.
Can you give an example of Autophagy?
During fasting, autophagy supplies amino acids for essential protein synthesis.
What should I learn before Autophagy?
Work through the Beginner topics in Cell Biology first, such as Cell Theory, Prokaryotic Cell, Eukaryotic Cell, then return to Autophagy. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
What topics are related to Autophagy?
The closest topics to Autophagy are Cytoplasm, Lysosome, Apoptosis, Endocytosis. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Autophagy?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Autophagy. To practise the whole of Cell Biology, use the Cell Biology quiz.
How is Autophagy different from Cytoplasm?
Autophagy: A recycling pathway in which cytoplasmic components are enclosed in autophagosomes and degraded by lysosomes. Cytoplasm: The jelly-like fluid and suspended structures between the plasma membrane and nucleus where many reactions occur. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Autophagy step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Cytoplasm and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Cell Biology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.