cytoplasm
n. uncountablen. the thick, jelly-like substance inside a cell that holds all the parts together. It is where most of the cell's chemical reactions happen.
n. the semifluid substance within a cell, excluding the nucleus, in which organelles are suspended. It serves as the medium for various metabolic processes and provides structural support to the cell.
The cytoplasm fills the space inside the cell membrane.
During cell division, the cytoplasm divides to ensure each new daughter cell receives the necessary organelles and nutrients.
The cytoplasm is not a static environment; it is a dynamic matrix where the constant movement of vesicles and the cytoskeleton facilitates intracellular transport and communication.
Borrowed from German Zytoplasma, Cytoplasma. Equivalent to cyto- (“cell”) + -plasm (“contents of a cell”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated May 27, 2026