Cell lysis. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a cell undergoing cell lysis. Cell lysis is a common outcome of viral infection. It consists of a disruption of cellular membranes, leading to cell death and the release of cytoplasmic material into the extracellular space. Lysis is actively induced by many viruses, because cells seldom trigger lysis on their own. Most non-enveloped virus, and few enveloped viruses require cell lysis in order to release new virions from the infected cell. Cell lysis is actively induced by viruses using various mechanisms. Magnification: x5000 when printed 10 centimetres wide