Autophagy
The cellular process of degrading and recycling damaged or unnecessary components. Literally 'self-eating,' autophagy clears damaged proteins and organelles, maintaining cellular health.
Biological Context
Autophagy is activated by nutrient scarcity and stress. During fasting, cells break down non-essential components to provide energy and building materials. Autophagy clears protein aggregates linked to aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Mice with defective autophagy don't benefit from caloric restriction.
Business Application
Organizational autophagy is ruthless elimination of waste—zero-based budgeting, cutting technical debt, eliminating bureaucratic processes that exist only because 'we've always done it.' Companies without autophagy don't die from one decision; they die from accumulation of organizational junk.