PROTOPLASM

protoplasm, living substance

(noun) the substance of a living cell (including cytoplasm and nucleus)

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

protoplasm (countable and uncountable, plural protoplasms)

(cytology) The entire contents of a cell comprising the nucleus and the cytoplasm. It is a semi-fluid, transparent substance which is the living matter of plant and animal cells.

Source: Wiktionary

Pro"to*plasm, n. Etym: [Proto- + Gr. (Biol.)

Definition: The viscid and more or less granular material of vegetable and animal cells, possessed of vital properties by which the processes of nutrition, secretion, and growth go forward; the so-called " physical basis of life;" the original cell substance, cytoplasm, cytoblastema, bioplasm sarcode, etc.

Note: The lowest forms of animal and vegetable life (unicellular organisms) consist of simple or unaltered protoplasm; the tissues of the higher organisms, of differentiated protoplasm.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition