The function of hemolysins is to:

The function of hemolysins is to:

• A. Coagulate blood
• B. Destroy red blood cells
• C. Break down fibrin
• D. Indicate a viral infection

Answer: (B)

Hemolysins are toxins produced by certain bacteria that target red blood cells, disrupting their membranes and causing lysis. This rupture releases hemoglobin and helps the bacteria access nutrients like iron in the environment. On blood agar, this activity appears as a clear zone around colonies when red blood cells are completely lysed (beta-hemolysis) or as a greenish or partial clearing with partial lysis (alpha-hemolysis), depending on the type. The other described processes—coagulating blood, breaking down fibrin, or indicating a viral infection—are not what hemolysins do. So the function is to destroy red blood cells.

Hemolysins are toxins produced by certain bacteria that target red blood cells, disrupting their membranes and causing lysis. This rupture releases hemoglobin and helps the bacteria access nutrients like iron in the environment. On blood agar, this activity appears as a clear zone around colonies when red blood cells are completely lysed (beta-hemolysis) or as a greenish or partial clearing with partial lysis (alpha-hemolysis), depending on the type. The other described processes—coagulating blood, breaking down fibrin, or indicating a viral infection—are not what hemolysins do. So the function is to destroy red blood cells.