The colorless material comprising the living part of a cell, including the cytoplasm, nucleus, and other organelles.
‘It was eventually realised that the culprit was a non-cellular form of ‘life’ that could diffuse through the cell walls and membranes into the cell's protoplasm.’
‘They do not store vital dyes and, in the structure of their nucleus and the behavior of their protoplasm, resemble mesenchymal cells.’
‘The protoplasm is extruded as pseudopods via the aperture and through any perforations that may be present in the test.’
‘It is likely that lignified cells that lack membranes and protoplasm also lack sensitivity.’
‘Their protoplasm has a distinct reticular structure and contains-especially in the experiments with the introduction of egg yolk into the subcutaneous tissue-numerous clear vacuoles and granular inclusions.’
Origin
Mid 19th century from Greek prōtoplasma(see proto-, plasma).
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