idioplasma

I1D2I1O1P3L1A1S1M3A1

noun

A portion of the cell protoplasm which is the seat of all active changes, and which carries on the function of hereditary transmission; distinguished from the other portion, which is termed nutritive plasma.

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Meanings

nounidioplasma (uncountable)

alternative idioplasm

  1. archaicuncountablebiologyA portion of the cell protoplasm which is the seat of all active changes, and which carries on the function of hereditary transmission; distinguished from the other portion, which is termed nutritive plasma.

Origin

From Ancient Greek ἴδιος (ídios, “one's own; proper, peculiar”) + πλάσμα (plásma, “form, mold”). Equivalent to idio- + -plasm. Coined by Carl Nägeli.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

idioplasma. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/idioplasma

MLA

“idioplasma.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/idioplasma. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “idioplasma,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/idioplasma.

Source: idioplasma on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.