bacteriolytic

9.9

Causing bacteria to break open and die

adjective
/ˌbæktəriəˈlɪtɪk/

Specialized

: bacteriolítico

The enzyme lysozyme exhibits a bacteriolytic effect on certain bacterial cell walls.

Examples

Researchers studied the bacteriolytic activity of several new antibiotics against resistant strains.
Many antibiotics are bacteriolytic agents.
A strong bacteriolytic reaction was observed in the treated samples.
The bacteriolytic properties of this substance are impressive.
The enzyme lysozyme exhibits a bacteriolytic effect on certain bacterial cell walls.
Researchers studied the bacteriolytic activity of several new antibiotics against resistant strains.
A strong bacteriolytic reaction was observed in the treated samples.

Synonyms

bactericidal

vsbacteriolytic

Specialized

6.6

Able to kill bacteria or stop their growth

is specific in destroying cells by breaking them open rather than general killing

microbicidal

vsbacteriolytic

Specialized

7.7

Able to kill germs like bacteria and viruses

focuses only on destroying by cell rupture rather than broad organism killing

germicidal

vsbacteriolytic

6.8

Able to kill germs or stop them from growing

is specific about destroying by breaking cells open rather than general killing

Antonyms

bacteriostasis

Specialized

9.9

To stop bacteria from growing without killing them

How Destructive

bacteriolytic

Specialized

9.9

bactericidal

Specialized

6.6

bacteriostatic

Specialized

1 8.4

Surface Forms

bacteriolytic positive

Morphology

bacteriolytic = bacteria (semi-transparent) = bacterio + lytic

The meaning 'causing lysis of bacteria' can be inferred from 'bacteria' plus the specialized scientific suffix '-lytic', but both elements are scientific combining forms that may be unfamiliar to B1 learners.

Etymology

Bacteriolytic comes from bacterio- ('bacteria') and -lytic ('to break' or 'destroy'). So it means 'breaking down bacteria' and describes something that destroys bacteria.