lysis

/'laisis/

Thân thiện

A scientist observes cell lysis under a microscope.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The dissolution or destruction of cells: In biochemistry and biology, "lysis" refers specifically to the breaking down of a cell's membrane, often resulting in the cell's death and the release of its contents. This can apply to various cell types, including blood cells (hemolysis) or bacteria (bacteriolysis).
   • The gradual subsiding of the symptoms of a disease: In medicine, "lysis" describes a slow, progressive decline in the manifestations of an acute illness, as opposed to a sudden crisis.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Biochemistry/Biology):
  • The antibiotic causes bacterial cell lysis. (The antibiotic leads to the destruction of bacterial cells.)
  • Hemolysis, or the lysis of red blood cells, can be observed in the lab.
• Noun (Medicine):
  • The patient's fever resolved by lysis over several days. (The patient's fever went away gradually over several days.)
  • Lysis of the pneumonia was a good sign of recovery.

Advanced Usage

• "Lysis" is frequently used as a combining form or in compound terms in scientific contexts. Its core meaning of "breaking down" or "loosening" is central.
  • Cytolysis: The lysis of cells.
  • Hydrolysis: A chemical breakdown reaction involving water.
  • Electroporation can be used to induce cell lysis. (Electroporation can be used to cause cell destruction.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lyse (verb): To cause or undergo lysis.
  • The virus will lyse the host cell.
• Lytic (adjective): Relating to or causing lysis.
  • A lytic enzyme.
• -lysis (suffix): A suffix meaning "decomposition" or "breaking down," used in many scientific terms (e.g., , , ).

Synonyms

• Dissolution: The process of dissolving or breaking apart.
• Disintegration: The process of breaking into small parts.
• Decomposition: The state or process of rotting or decaying.
• Decline (medical sense): A gradual lessening of intensity.

Antonyms

• Formation: The action of forming or establishing.
• Synthesis: The combination of components to form a whole.
• Crisis (medical sense): A sudden, decisive change in the course of a disease.

Related Phrases and Terms

• Lytic cycle: The reproductive cycle of a virus that ends with the lysis of the host cell.
• Lysis buffer: A solution used in laboratories to break open cells.
• By lysis (medical): A phrase describing the manner of symptom resolution.
  • The infection resolved by lysis, not by crisis.

Học thuật

Noun

1. (biochemistry) dissolution or destruction of cells such as blood cells or bacteria
2. recuperation in which the symptoms of an acute disease gradually subside