When autolysis occurs, which of the following happens to the cell?

When autolysis occurs, the cell dies and breaks down its own components as a result of enzymatic processes that begin after cellular death. This process involves the activation of lysosomal enzymes that digest the cell's structures from within, leading to self-digestion. Autolysis is an important phenomenon in the context of decomposition, as it is one of the first steps in the breakdown of tissues following death.

This process contrasts with other options where cells might interact with one another or replicate, which does not occur during autolysis. For instance, absorption by surrounding cells or combining with other cells wouldn’t apply here since, in autolysis, the cell's integrity is compromised and it is actively breaking itself down rather than engaging with others. Similarly, replication of DNA is a function of living cells, not cells undergoing autolysis. Therefore, the correct understanding of autolysis focuses on the self-destructive nature of the process.