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Glite Dictionary
cytolysin

cytolysin

9.9
A substance that breaks open animal cells by damaging their cell membrane
  • noun
  • /ˌsaɪtəˈlaɪsɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : citolisina
  • The bacteria release a cytolysin that destroys nearby animal cells.

Examples

  • Many cytolysins can disrupt cellular membranes.

  • A potent cytolysin can contribute to severe infections by damaging host cells.

  • Scientists studied the effects of the cytolysin on liver tissue cultures.

  • The cytolysin released by the bacteria caused cell damage.

  • The bacteria release a cytolysin that destroys nearby animal cells.

  • A potent cytolysin can contribute to severe infections by damaging host cells.

  • Scientists studied the effects of the cytolysin on liver tissue cultures.

Synonyms

cytotoxin
vscytolysin
  • Specialized
1 7.9

A substance that kills or damages cells

causes destruction specifically by disrupting membranes rather than general poisoning
lysin
vscytolysin
  • Specialized
9.9

A substance that breaks open cells, like an antibody or enzyme

is limited to animal cells and acts by disrupting membranes

How Destructive

cytolysin
  • Specialized
9.9
cytotoxin
  • Specialized
1 7.9

Surface Forms

cytolysin singular
cytolysins plural

Morphology

cytolysin = lysin (semi-transparent) = cyto + lysin

Formed from the combining form 'cyto-' (cell) and 'lysin' (an agent causing lysis); both elements are technical biomedical terms, so the meaning is not fully obvious to general learners.

Etymology

Cytolysin comes from cyto- meaning 'cell' and -lysin meaning 'to break'. So a cytolysin is a substance that breaks open or destroys animal cells by damaging their membranes.