alpha hemolysis n a greenish discoloration and partial hemolysis of the red blood cells immediately surrounding colonies of some streptococci on blood agar plates compare BETA HEMOLYSIS
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the production of a zone of greenish discoloration surrounding a bacterial colony on blood-agar medium, caused by partial decomposition of the hemoglobin of the erythrocytes; it is characteristic of pneumococci and certain streptococci.Medical dictionary. 2011.