rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryprotoplasmLiving cell substance
noun

protoplasm

PROH-tuh-plaz-uhm/ˈprəʊtəplæzəm/

The living substance inside a cell.

Protoplasm contains water, proteins, and other substances that keep cells alive.

A simple living-cell cutaway shows cytoplasm with nucleus and a few organelles within membrane, living protoplasmic material central, no text or photoreal microscope noise.
Etymology
protoGreekfirst
+plasmGreeksomething formed or molded

“First” and “something formed” express the notion of the “first-formed” substance. Applied to gelatinous material in living tissue, the term became more specifically the essential living substance of cells.

In context

Silence of the Earth45:12
one enormous sprawling bag of protoplasm.
Mariana Trench: Secrets of Earth’s Deepest Abyss | Documentary for Sleep

More examples

  • In living plant cells, protoplasm lies inside the cell wall.
  • The amoeba's protoplasm shifts as it changes shape.
  • Protoplasm includes both the cytoplasm and the living material within the nucleus.

Forms

protoplasm

protoplasmic adjective — Relating to the living substance within cells.

Similar words

cytoplasm
Excludes the material inside the nucleus, which protoplasm includes.