In Biology:
Lyse means to
burst. Cells, particularily animal cells, autolyse when the
tissue/animal dies. They become
liquidy, change in colour, and tend to
smell terribly. The tissue basically begins to
rot. This is caused by a self-destruct mechanism, where the
lysosomes release digestive enzymes.
In Baking:
A way of relaxing dough to maximize glutens and enhance extensibility without fermentation.