lysis

ly·sis  (lss)

n. pl. ly·ses (-sz)

1. Biochemistry The dissolution or destruction of cells, such as blood cells or bacteria, as by the action of a specific lysin that disrupts the cell membrane.

2. Medicine The gradual subsiding of the symptoms of an acute disease.

---

[New Latin, from Latin, a loosening, from Greek lusis, from lein, to loosen; see leu- in Indo-European roots.]

---

lysis  (lss)

The disintegration of a cell resulting from destruction of its membrane by a chemical substance, especially an antibody or enzyme.

---

lysis

the decomposition of cells by antibodies called lysins.

See also: Decaying

---

the destruction of cells by the action of certain lysins. See also health. — lytic, adj.

See also: Cells

---

the gradual process of a disease, ending in the recovery of the patient. See also cells. — lyterian, lytic, adj.

See also: Health

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	lysis - recuperation in which the symptoms of an acute disease gradually subside convalescence, recuperation, recovery - gradual healing (through rest) after sickness or injury
	2.	lysis - (biochemistry) dissolution or destruction of cells such as blood cells or bacteria biochemistry - the organic chemistry of compounds and processes occurring in organisms; the effort to understand biology within the context of chemistry autolysis, self-digestion - lysis of plant or animal tissue by an internal process bacteriolysis - dissolution or destruction of bacteria cytolysis - pathological breakdown of cells by the destruction of their outer membrane dissolution, disintegration - separation into component parts haematolysis, haemolysis, hematolysis, hemolysis - lysis of erythrocytes with the release of hemoglobin karyolysis - disintegration and dissolution of a cell nucleus when a cell dies necrolysis - disintegration and dissolution of dead tissue osteolysis - lysis of bone caused by disease or infection or inadequate blood supply radiolysis - molecular disintegration resulting from radiation thrombolysis - the process of breaking up and dissolving blood clots