As protein digestion proceeds, the emptying storage vesicles fuse to form a large vacuole containing an array of hydrolytic enzymes, analogous in function to the lysosome. Digestion of cell contents by the enzymes of the vacuole is achieved when vesicles are internalized by an autophagic process in which a portion of the cytoplasm is engulfed and sealed off by the protein body membrane (Fig. 7.18). Hence, disintegration of the cotyledons can be achieved by cellular autolysis. Figure 7.19 summarizes the sequence of events in mung bean cotyle¬dons associated with protein, and ultimately cell, hydrolysis. It is likely that this scheme of events has features that are to be found in many dicotyledon storage organs.