What does lyse mean?
To lyse means to break open a cell or similar biological structure by disrupting its membrane. The process, called lysis, releases the cell’s contents and can result from chemical, mechanical, osmotic, or biological damage. In microbiology, “lyse” often describes what happens when an antibiotic or another agent weakens a bacterial cell wall, allowing the cell to burst. The verb can be transitive, as in “the enzyme lyses the cell,” or intransitive, as in “the cells lyse under treatment.” Although the word is rooted in the familiar idea of loosening or dissolving, its everyday use is mainly confined to biology and related technical contexts. Its uncommon sound and precise meaning make it useful in discussions of cells, viruses, antibiotics, membranes, and laboratory procedures.
To cause a cell or other biological structure to break down through lysis.
"The detergent lysed the cell membranes."
Common in biological and biochemical writing; the object is often a cell, membrane, or organism.
To undergo lysis, especially by bursting or dissolving.
"Bacterial cells lyse when the cell wall is compromised."
This intransitive sense is particularly common in microbiology and cell biology.
A word that sounds like a polite invitation to unwind is actually the biologist’s term for bursting a cell open.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lyse come from?
The word comes from Greek lysis, meaning a loosening or dissolving, ultimately related to lyein, “to loosen” or “to dissolve.” The biological sense developed through the idea of a cell membrane being loosened or broken down. English adopted the related terminology in the 19th century, and the verb form is derived from the same Greek root found in lysis, lysosome, and lysogenic.
Related word forms
How lyse is actually used
This is primarily a technical biological term. It is less commonly used in general language, and its intransitive use is especially associated with microbiology and cell biology.
Easily confused with lyse
“Lyse” is the verb describing the breaking-down process, while “lysis” is the noun naming the process itself.