Definition
noun, plural: protoplasts
Plant, bacterial or fungal cell with the cell wall removed using either mechanical or enzymatic means.
The first from which all subsequent forms are derived; prototype; archetype
Supplement
Word origin: French protoplaste, from Old French, the first man, from Late Latin prōtoplastus, from Greek prōtoplastos : prōto-, proto– + plastos, formed, molded.
Related forms: protoplastic (adjective).
Compare:” spheroplast.
See also: cytoplasm, cell wall.
Dictionary > Protoplast
