What is the meaning of the suffix "-lysis"?

The suffix "-lysis" originates from the Greek word "lusis," meaning a loosening or dissolution. In various scientific and medical contexts, it is used to indicate a process that involves breaking down or loosening tissues, cells, or complex structures. This can be seen in terms such as "analysis," which refers to the process of breaking down information into its components to better understand it, or "hemolysis," which is the breakdown of red blood cells.

This understanding of "-lysis" as relating to loosening or cutting sets it apart from other suffixes that denote different concepts, such as "-ology," which indicates a study, or suffixes that might imply an elevation or change, as reflected in the other options provided. The specificity of "-lysis" in indicating a breakdown process makes it a distinct and important suffix in both medical and general scientific terminology.