protoplasm

[ proh-tuh-plaz-uhm ]

noun

1. Biology. (no longer in technical use) the colloidal and liquid substance of which cells are formed, excluding horny, chitinous, and other structural material; the cytoplasm and nucleus.
2. Obsolete. the living matter of organisms regarded as the physical basis of life, having the ability to sense and conduct stimuli.

protoplasm

/ ˈprəʊtəˌplæzəm /

noun

1. biology the living contents of a cell, differentiated into cytoplasm and nucleoplasm

protoplasm

/ prō′tə-plăz′əm /

1. The semifluid, translucent substance that forms the living matter in all plant and animal cells. Composed of proteins, fats, and other substances suspended in water, it includes the cytoplasm and (in eukaryotes) the nucleus.

protoplasm

1. The jellylike material in a cell , both inside and outside the nucleus , where the chemical reactions that support life take place.

Derived Forms

• ˌprotoˈplasmic, adjective

Other Words From

• proto·plasmic proto·plasmal pro·to·plas·mat·ic [proh-toh-plaz-, mat, -ik], adjective
• inter·proto·plasmic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of protoplasm¹

From the New Latin word prōtoplasma, dating back to 1840–50. See proto-, -plasm

Word History and Origins

Origin of protoplasm¹

C19: from New Latin, from proto- + Greek plasma form

Example Sentences

He was not one of the little pieces of protoplasm running along with the herd.

From Project Gutenberg

Let us suppose its first connection with vitality to be in the simplest form of animated matter—that of the protoplasm.

From Project Gutenberg

Ages ago, when we were amœbæ or little drops of protoplasm, we had no eyes or nose or separate stomach for digesting food.

From Project Gutenberg

In these higher animals this protoplasm is known as germplasm, that in body cells as somatoplasm.

From Project Gutenberg

Man and his civilization are held suspended in protoplasm and sunlight.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• beef
• fat
• meat
• muscle