hemolysis

[ hi-mol-uh-sis ]

noun

1. the breaking down of red blood cells with liberation of hemoglobin.

hemolysis

/ hĭ-mŏl′ĭ-sĭs,hē′mə-lī′sĭs /

1. The destruction of red blood cells, caused by disruption of the cell membrane and resulting in the release of hemoglobin. Hemolysis is seen in some types of anemia, which can be either inherited or acquired, as by exposure to toxins or by the presence of antibodies that attack red blood cells.

Other Words From

• he·mo·lyt·ic [hee-m, uh, -, lit, -ik, hem-, uh, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hemolysis¹

First recorded in 1885–90; hemo- + -lysis

Example Sentences

They found that this destruction, or hemolysis, was a “primary effect” of microgravity, which indicates that the anemia is caused by the astronaut’s environment.

From Popular-Science

Salivary gland emulsion added to a dilute suspension of corpuscles did not lead to hemolysis.

From Project Gutenberg