What does the term "lyse" refer to in biology?

The term "lyse" in biology specifically refers to the process of a cell bursting or breaking apart. This can occur due to various factors, such as the influx of water into a cell in a hypotonic environment, overwhelming the cell's membrane and leading to rupture. Lysis is often associated with the destruction of cells, such as bacterial cells when subjected to certain antibiotics or due to viral infections.

In contrast, other terms in the choices describe different processes. For example, the notion of shrinking or shriveling relates to the process of crenation, typically occurring in hypertonic solutions where water exits the cell, while excessive swelling may pertain to conditions that lead to osmotic pressure buildup without causing lysis. Dissolving in a solution might refer to solvation or dissolution processes but does not contribute to the definition of lysis, which is exclusively about the rupture or disintegration of cells. Thus, defining "lyse" as to burst encapsulates its biological significance accurately.