Protoplasm

Origin

From German Protoplasma, coined by Czech physiologist Johannes Evangelista Purkinje, from Ancient Greek πρῶτος (prōtos, "first") + πλάσμα (plasma, "something molded"). The word was in Late Latin, meaning "first created thing," and may have existed in Medieval Greek in a different sense.

Full definition of protoplasm

Noun

1. (cytology) The entire contents of a cell comprising the nucleus and the cytoplasm. It is a semi-fluid, transparent substance which is the living matter of plant and animal cells.

Derived terms

• protoplasmic
• protoplasmal
• protoplasmatic