Cell lysis
Cell Lysis
Cell lysis (/ˈlaɪsɪs/; from the Greek λύσις, lýsis, "a loosing" from λύειν, lýein, "to unbind") refers to the process of breaking down a cell often by viral, enzymic, or osmotic mechanisms that compromise its integrity.
Etymology
The term "lysis" originates from the Greek word λύσις, meaning "a loosing" or "to unbind". It is used in the biological sciences to denote the breaking down of a cell.
Process
Cell lysis is a common outcome of viral infection and can also be useful in laboratory settings where cells are deliberately lysed for the purpose of manipulating their contents. This can be achieved through a variety of methods including mechanical disruption, detergent solubilization, and enzymatic digestion.
Methods
Mechanical Disruption
Mechanical disruption of cells is a common method of cell lysis. This can be achieved through methods such as sonication, French press, and bead beating.
Detergent Solubilization
Detergent solubilization involves the use of detergents to dissolve the cell membrane, allowing for the contents of the cell to be accessed.
Enzymatic Digestion
Enzymatic digestion involves the use of enzymes to break down the cell wall, allowing for the contents of the cell to be accessed.
Applications
Cell lysis is used in many areas of biology, including molecular biology, biotechnology, and biochemistry. It is often used in the extraction of cellular contents, such as proteins, DNA, and RNA, for further analysis or manipulation.
Related Terms
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