What is an autophagolysosome?

Answer 1

An autophage would be an organism that feeds upon itself. Autophagy would be the practice of dining on one's own flesh. Chewing your fingernails might be referred to as "autophagy."

Answer 2

An autophagolysosome is a cellular compartment formed through the fusion of an autophagosome (which contains cellular material targeted for degradation) with a lysosome (the cell's recycling center). This fusion enables the breakdown of the autophagosome contents by lysosomal enzymes, providing the cell with nutrients and helping maintain cellular homeostasis.

Answer 3

An autophagosome is a phagosome - a membrane-bound vacuole within a cell - in which part of a cell's own cytoplasm is digested.

Answer 4

An autophagolysosome is a lysosome involved in autophagy - the process of self-digestion.