Lysis

Lysis (/ˈlaɪsɪs/ LY-sis; from Greek λῠ́σῐς lýsis 'loosening') is the breaking down of the membrane of a cell, often by viral, enzymic, or osmotic (that is, "lytic" /ˈlɪtɪk/ LIT-ik) mechanisms that compromise its integrity.

[1] Phage lytic enzymes (lysins) produced during bacteriophage infection are responsible for the ability of these viruses to lyse bacterial cells.

Cytolysis can be prevented by several different mechanisms, including the contractile vacuole that exists in some paramecia, which rapidly pump water out of the cell.

Mechanical disruption of cell membranes, as by repeated freezing and thawing, sonication, pressure, or filtration may also be referred to as lysis.

[8][9] For example, lysis is used in western and Southern blotting to analyze the composition of specific proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids individually or as complexes.

Examples include liquid homogenization, freeze thawing, and physical disruption such as sonication, or the use of hypotonic solutions that cause osmotic swelling and eventual bursting of the cell.

[12] This method uses ultrasonic waves to generate areas of high and low pressure which causes cavitation and in turn, cell lysis.