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hemolysis
(he-mol´ә-sis)
rupture of erythrocytes with release of hemoglobin into the plasma. Certain toxins, and substances called hemolysins, can do this. Intravenous administration of a hypotonic solution or distilled water will also destroy red blood cells by
causing them to fill with fluid until their membranes rupture. Transfusion reactions and erythroblastosis fetalis cause red blood cells to clump together and eventually disintegrate. adj., hemolyt´ic., adj.

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