streptolysin
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˌstrɛp.təˈlaɪ.sɪn/
- Specialized
- Researchers found that streptolysin can effectively inhibit the growth of certain cancer cells.
Examples
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They produce a toxin called streptolysin that breaks down the red blood cell, but that's not happening today.
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The streptococcus bacteria secrete streptolysin, which destroys red blood cells.
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In the laboratory, they tested how much streptolysin the bacteria could produce under different conditions.
Synonyms
1
9.9
A substance that kills red blood cells and makes them release their red liquid
Surface Forms
Morphology
streptolysin = streptococcus + lysin (opaque) = strepto + lysin
The word is a scientific term composed of Greek-derived roots, which are not transparent to average learners without specialized knowledge.
Etymology
The word streptolysin comes from strepto- meaning 'twisted', the 'strep' in strep throat, and -lysin meaning 'to break down', like the 'lysis' in analysis. So streptolysin is a toxin made by strep bacteria that 'breaks down' red blood cells.