Definition

1. Adjective: Of, relating to, or causing bacteriolysis. This describes something that pertains to the destruction or dissolution of bacterial cells.

Usage

The adjective "bacteriolytic" is used in scientific, particularly microbiological and medical, contexts to describe agents, processes, or properties that result in the lysis (breaking open) of bacteria.

Examples

• The research team discovered a bacteriolytic enzyme in the phage's tail fibers.
• The serum exhibited strong bacteriolytic activity against the pathogenic strain.
• They studied the bacteriolytic effect of the new antibiotic compound.

Advanced Usage

• Bacteriolytic agent: A substance that causes the destruction of bacteria by lysing their cell walls.
  • Penicillin is a well-known bacteriolytic agent that targets bacterial cell wall synthesis.
• Bacteriolytic therapy: A therapeutic approach that utilizes agents to lyse bacterial cells.
  • The potential for phage-based bacteriolytic therapy is being explored.

Variants and Related Words

• Bacteriolysis (n): The process of destruction or dissolution of bacterial cells.
  • The observed clearing of the culture was due to bacteriolysis.
• Bacteriolytically (adv): In a bacteriolytic manner.
  • The compound acts bacteriolytically on Gram-positive organisms.

Synonyms

• Lytic (specifically in the context of bacteria)
• Bactericidal (more general; causing bacterial death, which may or may not involve lysis)

Antonyms

• Bacteriostatic: Inhibiting bacterial growth without killing them.
• Non-lytic: Not causing lysis.

Adjective

1. of or relating to or causing bacteriolysis