Definition of lysis - NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms

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lysis (LY-sis)

In biology, lysis refers to the breakdown of a cell caused by damage to its plasma (outer) membrane. It can be caused by chemical or physical means (for example, strong detergents or high-energy sound waves) or by infection with a strain virus that can lyse cells.

Previous Definitions:	lymphoproliferative disorder, lymphosarcoma, lymphoscintigraphy, Lynch syndrome, Lyrica
Next Definitions:	lysosome, lytic, lytic lesion, M protein, M-EDTA