idioplasm

American  

[id-ee-uh-plaz-uhm] / ˈɪd i əˌplæz əm /

noun

Biology.

1. germ plasm.

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idioplasm British  

/ ˌɪdɪəʊplæzˈmætɪk, ˈɪdɪəʊˌplæzəm /

noun

1. another name for germ plasm

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Other Word Forms

• idioplasmatic adjective
• idioplasmic adjective

Etymology

Origin of idioplasm

First recorded in 1885–90; idio- + -plasm

Example Sentences

The idioplasm continually alters its configuration with its growth in successive ontogenies, but comparatively very slowly, so that it makes a minute advance from the germ of one generation to the germ of the next.

From A Mechanico-Physiological Theory of Organic Evolution by Nägeli, Carl Von

In fact, it appears as if the idioplasm knew what parts of the plant were wanting, and what it must do to restore the integrity and vital capacity of the individual.'

From The Biological Problem of To-day Preformation Or Epigenesis? The Basis of a Theory of Organic Development by Hertwig, Oscar

In obedience to these, a division of the nucleus accompanies each qualitative change in the idioplasm, in which process the different qualities are distributed between the two resulting halves of the chromatin rods.'

From The Biological Problem of To-day Preformation Or Epigenesis? The Basis of a Theory of Organic Development by Hertwig, Oscar

From the fact that a phylogenetic race is thrown repeatedly among different external conditions, it may at last unite in its idioplasm a large number of developing, mature, and vanishing adaptation determinants.

From A Mechanico-Physiological Theory of Organic Evolution by Nägeli, Carl Von

Cells and cell-properties are essential parts of Weismann's theory; while Naegeli has attempted to make his theory of the idioplasm independent of the whole conception of cells.

From The Biological Problem of To-day Preformation Or Epigenesis? The Basis of a Theory of Organic Development by Hertwig, Oscar