Lysis, or the process of lysing, can occur both inside and outside of the cell. While localized lysis can result in a tiny puncture of a cell wall or cell membrane, harsher chemical lyses result in the expulsion of all cellular contents and cell death.

Where does lysis occur?

Osmotic lysis occurs in animal cells and certain bacteria. When the cells are in a hypotonic environment, the water tends to move into the cell. When the cell membrane cannot hold the excessive influx of water, the cell membrane ruptures.

What is the lysis of a cell?

In biology, lysis refers to the breakdown of a cell caused by damage to its plasma (outer) membrane. It can be caused by chemical or physical means (for example, strong detergents or high-energy sound waves) or by infection with a strain virus that can lyse cells.