hemolyze

[hee-muh-lahyz, hem-uh-]

verb (used with object)

hemolyzed, hemolyzing 

1. to subject (red blood cells) to hemolysis.

verb (used without object)

hemolyzed, hemolyzing 

1. to undergo hemolysis.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hemolyze¹

First recorded in 1900–05; hemo- + -lyze

Example Sentences

Without this enzyme, infections, medications and even some foods can cause red blood cells to hemolyze.

Read more on New York Times

And sometimes the red blood cells become coated with an antibody that causes them to hemolyze, or burst, in the bloodstream.

Read more on Washington Post

In other animals, the cells hemolyze, or burst, causing death if their total volume is increased to more than 130%.

Read more on Time Magazine Archive

When To Use

What does hemolyze mean?

Hemolyze means to undergo hemolysis or to force red blood cells to undergo hemolysis.Red blood cells transport oxygen throughout the body. Hemolysis is the destruction of red blood cells and the release of hemoglobin, the pigment that carries oxygen.Normally, red blood cells have a lifespan of up to 120 days. Around this time, they will naturally start to break down and hemolyze on their own. Destroyed red blood cells are then removed from the bloodstream by the spleen.However, something else may hemolyze red blood cells, such as animal venom, toxic microorganisms, or abnormal conditions, like sickle cell anemia or hypersplenism. Because the cells are being destroyed sooner than they should be, the body can’t create new cells fast enough to maintain a healthy level of cells. This condition is known as anemia, a disorder where there is a shortage of oxygen in the blood due to insufficient red blood cells.