Autohemolysin

/ɔːtoʊhɪˈmɒlɪsɪn/ noun

Definition

A naturally occurring antibody or substance in an organism's blood that causes the destruction of its own red blood cells.

Etymology

From auto- (self) + hemolysin (from Greek haima 'blood' + lysis 'breaking down'). A medical/biological term describing self-directed hemolytic substances, combining Greek roots related to blood destruction.

Kelly Says

Autohemolysin is basically your immune system going rogue—it's an antibody that attacks your own blood cells, which is why certain autoimmune diseases cause people's bodies to mysteriously destroy their own red blood cells, a phenomenon that baffled doctors until immunology explained the 'why.'

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.