haemolysin
A scientist observes haemolysin causing red blood cells to lyse under a microscope.
Noun: A substance, typically a toxin or antibody, that causes the destruction of red blood cells (eryththrocytes) by lysing (breaking open) their cell membranes, resulting in the release of hemoglobin.
The term is used primarily in medical, biological, and toxicological contexts to describe agents that damage red blood cells. - The bacterium's virulence is partly due to its production of a potent haemolysin. - Researchers are studying the haemolysin to understand its mechanism of action.
- Alpha-haemolysin / Beta-haemolysin: Specific classifications of bacterial haemolysins based on the pattern of red blood cell lysis they cause on blood agar plates.
- Staphylococcus aureus can produce both alpha- and beta-haemolysins.
- Hemolysin: The American English spelling variant.
- Haemolysis (noun): The process or event of red blood cell destruction.
- The toxin caused widespread haemolysis in the patient.
- Haemolytic (adjective): Describing something that causes or relates to haemolysis.
- It is a haemolytic toxin.
- Erythrocytolysin: A more technical synonym.
- Hemolysin (US spelling).
The word has a highly specific, technical meaning in life sciences. It does not have common idiomatic or figurative uses.
A scientist observes haemolysin causing red blood cells to lyse under a microscope.
- any substance that can cause lysis (destruction) of erythrocytes (red blood cells) and the release of their hemoglobin