protoplasmic

A scientist observes the protoplasmic movement within a single-celled organism.

Definition

Adjective: - Relating to or consisting of protoplasm, the living substance found inside the cells of all organisms (except certain viruses). Protoplasm is the semi-fluid, translucent material that forms the basis of all living cells, containing the nucleus, cytoplasm, and other organelles.

Usage Examples

• (Relating to the living substance inside a cell.)
• (Consisting of protoplasm.)
• (Referring to parts of the living cell material.)

Advanced Usage

• "Protoplasmic movement": the flow or streaming of protoplasm within a cell, often observed in plant cells or amoebas.

  • The protoplasmic movement in the amoeba allows it to change shape and engulf food. (The internal flow of living cell material.)

• "Protoplasmic membrane": another term for the cell membrane, which encloses the protoplasm.

  • The protoplasmic membrane regulates what enters and leaves the cell. (The boundary of the living substance.)

Variants and Related Words

• Protoplasm (noun): the living substance of a cell.

  • Scientists study protoplasm to understand cellular processes. (The material itself.)

• Protoplasmic (adjective): as defined above.

  • The protoplasmic network inside the cell is highly organized. (Describing the nature of the material.)

Synonyms

• Cellular: relating to a cell or its parts.
  • The cellular structure includes protoplasmic elements. (But "cellular" is broader, not limited to protoplasm.)
• Cytoplasmic: specifically relating to the cytoplasm (the part of protoplasm excluding the nucleus).
  • The cytoplasmic fluid is a component of protoplasm. (More specific than "protoplasmic" in some contexts.)

Related Idioms

• "Protoplasmic soup": a figurative term for the complex mixture of organic molecules in early Earth's oceans, thought to have given rise to life.
  • The theory of abiogenesis suggests life emerged from a protoplasmic soup. (A metaphorical use of the adjective.)