text: what happens to a cell when it lyses? i have not been able to find this.  i looked all through the chapter in my science book.  can anyone help me?  please believe it or not, your question is very open ended.  because there are different reasons why a cell might be lysed, there are different outcomes for the cell components with in the cell.  if the cell is lysed simply because it's in a hypotonic solution, then i think this is what would happen:  the cell that is lysed exposes some of its inner membrane molecules, which is a red flag, indicating it needs to be removed from circulation.  in my classical (old school) teachings, this is performed by macrophages residing in the spleen (this is [supposedly] the main function of the spleen).    the splenic macrophages latch onto the inner leaflet membrane molecules, and (if i remember correctly) engulf the left over bits and pieces.  the molecules would then be recycled within the macrophage.   there are probably lots of other mechanisms, depending on the situation.  this may include apoptosis, vacoule expansion (in attempts to save the cell), and some other mechanisms which i'm not thinking of right now.  well, i hope this helps.  i answer in hopes of spreading good karma.  hope you do the same!