protoplast
[ proh-tuh-plast ]
/ ˈproʊ təˌplæst /
noun
Biology.
- the contents of a cell within the cell membrane, considered as a fundamental entity.
- the primordial living unit or cell.
a person or thing that is formed first; original; prototype.
the hypothetical first individual or one of the supposed first pair of a species or the like.
Nearby words
Origin of protoplast
Related forms
pro·to·plas·tic, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for protoplast
British Dictionary definitions for protoplast
protoplast
/ (ˈprəʊtəˌplæst) /
noun
a unit consisting of the living parts of a cell, including the protoplasm and cell membrane but not the vacuoles or (in plants) the cell wall
Derived Forms
protoplastic, adjectiveWord Origin for protoplast
C16: from Late Latin prōtoplastus the first-formed, from Greek prōtoplastos, from proto- + plassein to shape
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Medicine definitions for protoplast
protoplast
[ prō′tə-plăst′ ]
n.
The living material of a plant or bacterial cell, including the protoplasm and plasma membrane after the cell wall has been removed.
One that is the first made or formed; a prototype.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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