Haemolysin (Noun)
Meaning
Any substance that can cause lysis (destruction) of erythrocytes (red blood cells) and the release of their hemoglobin.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- Haemolysin produced by certain strains of Streptococcus bacteria can cause severe infections, including damage to red blood cells.
- The haemolysin test is used in medical laboratories to detect the presence of substances that can cause lysis of red blood cells.
- The toxin produced by the alpha-haemolysin gene of Escherichia coli is responsible for the formation of pores in erythrocyte membranes.
- Clinical use of viper venom as a haemolysin has been explored for the treatment of certain diseases.
- Haemolysin beta produced by Staphylococcus aureus is a transmembrane pore-forming toxin that affects the integrity of red blood cell membranes.