Hemolysis is the destruction of red blood cells that can lead to anemia. Learn about the types, causes and symptoms of hemolysis and how it is diagnosed and treated. Hemolysis is the breakdown of red blood cells, which can be intravascular or extravascular, and can be caused by various factors. Learn about the different types of hemolysis, their causes, and the signs and symptoms of hemolytic anemia. Biology definition: Hemolysis is the breakdown or catabolism of red blood cells or erythrocytes that results in the expulsion of hemoglobin and other cytoplasmic content in the surrounding fluid or blood circulation. Hemolysis has several causes: examples are exposure of erythrocytes to toxins and poisons, bacterial hemolysins, immune reactions like specific complement-fixing antibodies, hypotonicity, alteration of temperature, treatments such as hemodialysis, etc. In microbiology, the ... Hemolysis is the rupturing or destruction of red blood cells. It can occur due to various factors, such as infections, toxins, or blood disorders.