Definition

Noun: - Dissolution or destruction of bacteria: The process of breaking down or destroying bacterial cells, often through the action of specific agents like antibodies (bacteriolysins), enzymes, or chemical substances.

Usage

• This term is used in scientific contexts, particularly in microbiology, immunology, and medicine, to describe the lysis (rupturing) of bacterial cells.
• It is typically an uncountable noun referring to the process itself.

Examples

• The antibiotic's primary mechanism of action is bacteriolysis.
• Researchers observed bacteriolysis under the microscope as the bacterial cell walls disintegrated.
• The patient's serum demonstrated bacteriolysis against the pathogenic strain.

Advanced Usage

• "to undergo bacteriolysis": to be subjected to or to experience the process of being destroyed or dissolved.
  • The bacterial culture began to undergo bacteriolysis after exposure to the phage.
• "agent of bacteriolysis": a substance that causes the destruction of bacteria.
  • Lysozyme is a well-known agent of bacteriolysis found in human tears.

Variants and Related Words

• Bacteriolytic (adj): Relating to or causing bacteriolysis.
  • The serum exhibited a strong bacteriolytic effect.
• Bacteriolysin (n): A specific antibody or substance that induces bacteriolysis.
  • The bacteriolysin targeted the outer membrane of the bacterium.

Synonyms

• Bacterial lysis: The breaking open of bacterial cells.
• Bacterial destruction: The act of destroying bacteria.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The term is highly specific to the field of microbiology. It does not have common figurative or everyday meanings. It refers strictly to the physical/chemical process of destroying bacterial cells.

Noun

1. dissolution or destruction of bacteria