-lyse or-lyze /-līz/ v combining form

To break down or divide into parts

lysigenic /li- or lī-si-jenˈik/, lysigenetˈic or lysigenous /-sijˈi-nəs/ adjective

Caused by the breaking down of cells

lysimˈeter noun

An instrument for measuring percolation of water through the soil

lysin /līˈsin/ noun

A substance that causes breakdown of cells

lysine /līˈsēn/ noun

An essential amino acid, a product of protein hydrolysis

-lysis /-lis-is/ n combining form

Denoting the action of breaking down or dividing into parts

lyˈsogeny noun (biology)

That part of the life cycle of a temperate phage in which it replicates in synchrony with its host (cf lytic cycle below)

lyˈsol noun

A solution of cresol in soap, a poisonous disinfectant (a trademark in some countries)

lysosōˈmal adjective

lyˈsosome noun

(Gr soma a body) any of the tiny particles present in most cells, containing enzymes that play a part in intracellular digestion

lyˈsozyme /-zīm/ noun

A bacteriolytic enzyme present in some plants, animal secretions (eg tears), egg white, etc

-lyst /-list/ or -lyte /-līt/ n combining form

Denoting something that can be broken down or divided into parts

lytic /litˈik/ adjective

Of, relating to, resulting from or causing lysis

-lytic or -lytical /-lit-/ adj combining form

Denoting something that can be broken down or divided into parts

lytˈically adverb

lysergic acid /lī-sûrˈjik/ noun

A substance, C₁₆H₁₆O₂N₂, derived from ergot, causing (in the form of lysergic acid diethylamide, LSD or lyˈsergide) a schizophrenic condition, with hallucinations and thought processes outside the normal range

lytic cycle noun (biology)

That part of the life cycle of a temperate phage in which it replicates uncontrollably, destroying its host and eventually releasing many copies into the medium (cf lysogeny above)