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Glite Dictionary
cytotoxin

cytotoxin

1 7.9
A substance that kills or damages cells
  • noun
  • /ˌsaɪtəˈtɒksɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : citosotoxina
  • Researchers are studying how cytotoxins affect normal cell function in the human body.

Examples

  • The infection rate is extremely high, and don't forget, we haven't succeeded in controIIing the cytotoxin's reaction to oxygen yet.

    Zombie Massacre (2013)

  • Certain bacteria release cytotoxins that can lead to severe tissue damage and cell death.

  • The presence of cytotoxins in the sample indicates a potential health risk to nearby cells.

Synonyms

toxin
vscytotoxin
  • Specialized
140 5.3

A poisonous substance that some animals, plants, or bacteria make

is harmful specifically to cells rather than any general poisonous substance
cytolysin
vscytotoxin
  • Specialized
9.9

A substance that breaks open animal cells by damaging their cell membrane

is toxic to cells without specifying membrane disruption

How Toxic

cytotoxin
  • Specialized
1 7.9
toxin
  • Specialized
140 5.3

Surface Forms

cytotoxin singular
cytotoxins plural

Morphology

cytotoxin = toxin (semi-transparent) = cyto + toxin + cyto

Formally composed from the combining form 'cyto-' (cell) and 'toxin'; the meaning 'toxin acting on cells' is compositionally clear in biomedical contexts but may be unfamiliar to general B1 learners.

Etymology

Cytotoxin comes from two parts: cyto- meaning 'cell' and toxin meaning 'poison'. So, a cytotoxin is literally a 'cell poison', which is why it damages or kills cells.