Describing red blood cells that have been broken down or burst open, releasing their hemoglobin into the surrounding fluid.
From 'hemo-' (blood) + Greek 'lysis' (breaking/loosening), using the past participle '-ed' suffix. The verb 'hemolyze' developed in the late 19th century as scientists studied what caused red blood cells to rupture.
A hemolyzed blood sample in the lab looks darker or pinkish because the freed hemoglobin stains the liquid—it's a problem for testing because you can't accurately measure individual components when the cells have already burst.
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