1. Living matter, the substance of which animal and vegetable cells are formed. SEE ALSO: cytoplasm, nucleoplasm. 2. The total cell material, including cell organelles. Cf.:cytoplasm, cytosol, hyaloplasm. SYN: plasmogen. [proto- + G. plasma, thing formed]
- totipotential p. living matter with the least recognizable differentiation of structure but with the greatest potential, all cell organs being formable by it.
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pro·to·plasm 'prōt-ə-.plaz-əm n
1) the organized colloidal complex of organic and inorganic substances (as proteins and water) that constitutes the living nucleus, cytoplasm, plastids, and mitochondria of the cell and is regarded as the only form of matter in which the vital phenomena (as metabolism and reproduction) are manifested
2) CYTOPLASM
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n.
the material of which living cells are made, which includes the cytoplasm and nucleus.
• protoplasmic adj.
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pro·to·plasm (proґto-plaz″əm) [proto- + -plasm] a general term for the substance of the cell; see cytoplasm and nucleoplasm. protoplasmatic, protoplasmic adjMedical dictionary. 2011.