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'''Lysis''' ([[Greek language|Greek]] ''{{Polytonic|λύσις}}'', ''lusis'' from ''luein'' = to separate) refers to the death of a cell by breaking of the cellular membrane, often by viral or osmotic mechanisms that compromise its integrity.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} A solution containing the contents of lysed cells is called a "lysate".

==Applications==

Cell lysis is used mostly in [[western blotting]] to analyse the composition of specific [[proteins]], [[lipids]] and [[nucleic acids]] individually or as [[complexes]]. Depending upon the [[detergent]] that is used either all [[membranes]] are lysed or certain membranes are lysed, leaving other membranes intact. For example if the [[cell membrane]] only is lysed then [[gradient centrifugation]] can be used to collect certain [[organelle]]s - [[Cell nucleus|nuclei]], [[mitochondria]], [[lysosomes]], [[chloroplasts]] and [[endoplasmic reticulum]]. The isolated organelles can then be analysed by [[electron microscopy]] or [[western blotting]].

==Cytolysis==
{{main|Cytolysis}}
[[Image:Osmotic pressure on blood cells diagram.svg|thumb|200px|right|blood cells under different solutions]]
Cytolysis is the lysis of [[cell (biology)|cells]] in a [[Tonicity#Hypotonicity|hypotonic]] environment. Cytolysis is caused by excessive [[osmosis]], or movement of water, towards the inside of a cell ([[hyperhydration]]). The [[cell membrane]] cannot withstand the [[osmotic pressure]] of the water inside, and so it [[explode]]s. Osmosis occurs from a region of high water potential to a region of low water potential passing through a [[semipermeable membrane]], so these bursting cells are located in hypotonic environments.

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

Cytolysis does not occur under normal conditions in plant cells because plant cells have a strong cell wall that contains the osmotic pressure, or turgor pressure, that would otherwise cause cytolysis to occur.

==Plasmolysis==
[[Image:Rhoeo Discolor - Plasmolysis.jpg|thumbnail|right|Plasmolysis]]
{{main|Plasmolysis}}
Plasmolysis is the contraction of [[cell (biology)|cell]]s within plants due to the loss of water through [[osmosis]].  In a [[Tonicity#Hypertonicity|hypertonic]] environment, the cell membrane peels off of the [[cell wall]] and the [[vacuole]] collapses. These cells will eventually wilt and die unless the flow of water caused by osmosis can stop the contraction of the [[cell membrane]].

==See also==
*[[Cell disruption]]
*[[Hemolysis]]
*[[Lysogenic]]
*[[Crenation]]

[[Category:Cell biology]]

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