lys(o)-

Disintegration of cells.

Greek lusis, loosening.

A lysosome is an organelle in cells containing enzymes that digest substances in the cell; a lysozyme is an enzyme which catalyses the destruction of the cell walls of certain bacteria, and occurs notably in tears and egg white; lysis is the disintegration of a cell by rupture of the cell wall or membrane; lysin is an antibody, bacterium or other substance able to cause this.