Final answer:
The medical suffix meaning separation, destruction, or loosening is '-lysis', as seen in terms like 'hemolysis' and 'osteolysis'.The medical suffix '-lysis' denotes separation, destruction, or loosening in various terms. For instance, 'hemolysis' refers to the breakdown of red blood cells, while 'osteolysis' pertains to the dissolution or destruction of bone tissue.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medical suffix that means separation, destruction, or loosening is -lysis. This suffix is used in various medical terms to denote the process of breaking down or dissolving.
For example, in the term hemolysis, 'hemo-' refers to blood and '-lysis' indicates the destruction of red blood cells, which is the separation or destruction of those cells.
Another example is osteolysis, where 'osteo-' stands for bone, and '-lysis' indicates the process of bone tissue breakdown.
The medical suffix '-lysis' holds significance in denoting processes of separation, destruction, or loosening within the realm of medicine.
Its presence in terms like 'hemolysis' is crucial for understanding the breakdown of red blood cells, as 'hemo-' pertains to blood, and '-lysis' signifies their destruction.