Protoplasm
/ˈproʊ.təˌplæz.əm/noun
The living substance of a cell, including the cytoplasm and nucleus.
Did you know?The term was coined in the 1830s from Greek roots, and for a time scientists treated protoplasm almost like a universal life-essence, blurring the line between biology and vitalist mysticism.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
prōtos
“first”
Ancient Greek
Greek
plásma
“something molded or formed”
1839
English
protoplasm
“a term coined for the supposed first-formed material of living cells”
19th Century
English
protoplasm
“the living substance of cells, especially in vitalist biology”
Modern English
English
protoplasm
“the living substance within cells”
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