How Do You Spell PROTOPLASMA?

Pronunciation: [pɹˈə͡ʊtə͡ʊplˌazmə] (IPA)

Protoplasma is a biological term that refers to the living substance of cells. The word comes from two Greek roots, protos meaning "first" and plasma meaning "something formed." The spelling of protoplasma can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription as [proh-tuh-plaz-muh]. The first syllable, "pro," is pronounced with an open-o sound. The second syllable, "to," has a short o sound. The third syllable, "plas," is pronounced with an "ah" sound. The last two syllables, "ma," have a schwa vowel sound followed by a short "uh" sound.

PROTOPLASMA Meaning and Definition

  1. Protoplasma, a term derived from the Greek words "protos," meaning first or primary, and "plasma," meaning formed or molded substance, refers to the living material that constitutes the fundamental component of all cells. It comprises the cytoplasm, nucleus, and other cell organelles. Protoplasma is considered the essential substance of life, as it encompasses all the biochemical processes necessary for cellular activities.

    The cytoplasm is the jelly-like fluid that fills the cell, providing a medium for various metabolic reactions. It contains a complex mixture of water, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, salts, and other organic molecules, allowing for the transportation, synthesis, and breakdown of cellular components. The nucleus, also contained within the protoplasma, houses the genetic material of the cell, including DNA, which directs cellular activities and carries the hereditary information.

    Moreover, the protoplasma contains other specialized organelles such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, vacuoles, and ribosomes, which perform significant functions, including energy production, protein synthesis, and cellular transport. Together, these components work harmoniously to maintain and regulate the various activities within a cell, allowing it to grow, divide, and perform its specific functions.

    The term "protoplasma" encompasses the vital substance that differentiates living cells from non-living matter, ensuring their ability to sustain life and perform essential biological processes.

  2. In bot., a coating of matter deposited on the inside of the cells of the cellular tissue, from which the cell-nuclei are formed.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for PROTOPLASMA

  • orotoplasma
  • lrotoplasma
  • -rotoplasma
  • 0rotoplasma
  • peotoplasma
  • pdotoplasma
  • pfotoplasma
  • ptotoplasma
  • p5otoplasma
  • p4otoplasma
  • pritoplasma
  • prktoplasma
  • prltoplasma
  • prptoplasma
  • pr0toplasma
  • pr9toplasma
  • proroplasma
  • profoplasma
  • progoplasma
  • proyoplasma

Etymology of PROTOPLASMA

The word "protoplasma" is derived from the Greek words "protos" meaning "first" or "original" and "plasma" meaning "something formed". The term was coined in 1846 by a German physiologist named Hugo von Mohl to describe the fluid living substance found within cells. This term was primarily used to refer to the living substance prior to the discovery of the cell nucleus, which was later revealed to be distinct from the protoplasm. Nonetheless, the term "protoplasma" retained its usage to refer to the living contents of cells.