A substance, such as an antibody or toxin, that causes the breaking down or destruction of cells.
From Greek 'cyto-' (cell) + 'lysin' (from 'lysis', breaking down). This term emerged in immunology as scientists studied how immune molecules destroy bacteria and infected cells.
Your immune system makes cytolysins that punch holes in invading bacteria—imagine tiny molecular assassins that specifically target germs without harming your own cells.
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