WBC Lysing
Lysis refers to the process of breakdown of cells. This can be a viral, enzymatic, or osmotic process. A fluid containing the contents of a lysed cell is called a "lysate". Various negative alien devices, implants or processes are designed to lyse cells or interfere with the process of lysing of cells. These are commonly found in the blood and the DNA structure.
Lysis refers to the breaking down of the membrane of a cell, often by viral, enzymic, or osmotic mechanisms that compromise its integrity. A fluid containing the contents of lysed cells is called a lysate. In molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology laboratories, cell cultures may be subjected to lysis in the process of purifying their components, as in protein purification, DNA extraction, RNA extraction, or in purifying organelles.[1]
What happens when cells lyse?
What happens when your red blood cells burst? When a cell 'bursts' this is known as the cell going through a process called lysis, which is the disintegration of the cell due to a rupture of the membrane. ... Diseases such as haemolytic anaemia can cause cells to "break down" faster than normal.
Types of Lysis
Haemolysis - refers to the breakdown of red blood cells (RBC). Substances that breakdown RBC are called haemolysins. Bacteria, parasites and fungus can cause haemolysis by producing haemolysins.
There are a number of other different processes of lysis:
Cytolysis - occurs when a cell bursts due to an osmotic imbalance that has caused excess water to move into a cell.
Oncolysis - refers to the destruction of a tumour or neoplastic cells.
Plasmolysis - is the contraction of cells due to the loss of water through osmosis
Cell lysis is also used in a number of laboratory techniques to prevent destruction of the cells. For example, when working with proteins and DNA, techniques can collect WBC intact having separated them from the RBC in the whole blood.
Reference
See Also
Term First Found in HGS Manual on Page 49