Was Lysol really named after Lysosomes? My teacher said that and they do about the same job.

arctic_wolves

Probably not. Lysol invented 1889 and Lysosomes discovererd in the 1950's. Lysosomes were discovered by the Belgian cytologist Christian de Duve in the 1950s. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysosomes The revolutionary invention of the first universal branded disinfectant "LYSOL" in 1889 laid the foundation stone for the company's later successful expansive development. http://www.uk.schulke-mayr.com/Services/Company%20Info/facts.html Sep 17 06, 11:56 AM

Baloo55th

Lysol (trademark) is dettol, also called parachlorometaxylenol, or PCMX. The main ingredient is chloroxylenol, with other odd things including pine oil (presumably to try to disguise the smell), and even caramel! (Not to give it taste - Dettol and Lysol are poisonous.) As lysosomes are little twiddly bits of the cell structure, a connection is unlikely. But there is a connection, I think. Not with the twiddly things but where they get their name from. Lysosomes get their name from the Greek 'lysis' meaning dissolution or destruction. Lysol may very well get its name from the same source - implying a sol-ution that is destructive to germs. I can't quote any evidence for this, but I can't find anything against it, either. So if you want to quote Baloo to your teacher, go ahead.... Sep 17 06, 12:22 PM