protoplasm
[ proh-tuh-plaz-uh m ]
/ ˈproʊ təˌplæz əm /
noun
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.
Obsolete.
the living matter of organisms regarded as the physical basis of life, having the ability to sense and conduct stimuli.
Origin of protoplasm
OTHER WORDS FROM protoplasm
pro·to·plas·mic, pro·to·plas·mal, pro·to·plas·mat·ic [proh-toh-plaz-mat-ik] /ˌproʊ toʊ plæzˈmæt ɪk/, adjective in·ter·pro·to·plas·mic, adjectiveWords nearby protoplasm
Example sentences from the Web for protoplasmic
British Dictionary definitions for protoplasmic
protoplasm
/ (ˈprəʊtəˌplæzəm) /
noun
biology
the living contents of a cell, differentiated into cytoplasm and nucleoplasm
Derived forms of protoplasm
protoplasmic, adjectiveWord Origin for protoplasm
C19: from New Latin, from
proto- + Greek
plasma form
Medical definitions for protoplasmic
protoplasm
[ prō′tə-plăz′əm ]
n.
The complex, semifluid, translucent substance that constitutes the living matter of plant and animal cells and manifests the essential life functions of a cell. Composed of proteins, fats, and other molecules suspended in water, it includes the nucleus and cytoplasm.
Other words from protoplasm
pro′to•plas′mic (-plăz′mĭk) adj.Scientific definitions for protoplasmic
protoplasm
[ prō′tə-plăz′əm ]
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.
Cultural definitions for protoplasmic
protoplasm
[ (proh-tuh-plaz-uhm) ]
The jellylike material in a cell, both inside and outside the nucleus, where the chemical reactions that support life take place.