What accounts for the lysis of a bacterial cell in the presence of a membrane attack complex?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of a membrane attack complex (MAC) leads to osmosis, which causes the cell to swell and eventually rupture, leading to lysis. MAC creates large pores or channels in the bacterial membrane, allowing water to freely enter the cell through osmosis, leading to swelling and eventual lysis. The other options (A, B, and D) are incorrect as they do not accurately describe the mechanism of cell lysis in the presence of a MAC.

What Accounts for the Lysis of a Bacterial Cell in the Presence