lysis - (biochemistry) dissolution or destruction of cells such as blood cells or bacteriabiochemistry - the organic chemistry of compounds and processes occuring in organisms; the effort to understand biology within the context of chemistry autolysis - lysis (self-digestion) of tissues when they are detached from the organism cytolysis - pathological breakdown of cells by the destruction of their outer membrane electrolysis - lysis of a bond produced by the passage of an electric current karyolysis - disintegration and dissolution of a cell nucleus when a cell dies necrolysis - disintegration and dissolution of dead tissue osteolysis - lysis of bone caused by disease or infection or inadequate blood supply radiolysis - molecular disintegration resulting from radiation thrombolysis - the process of breaking up and dissolving blood clots |