endoplasm
|en-do-plasm|
🇺🇸
/ˈɛn.dəˌplæzəm/
🇬🇧
/ˈen.dəˌplæz(ə)m/
inner cytoplasm
Etymology
'endoplasm' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'endon' and 'plasma', where 'endon' meant 'within' and 'plasma' meant 'something formed' or 'mold'.
'endoplasm' was formed in modern scientific English (via New Latin/Neo-Latin coinage in the 19th century) by combining the Greek roots 'endon' + 'plasma' and entered English usage as the term 'endoplasm'.
Initially the components suggested a 'formed inner substance', and over time the term came to be used specifically for the inner portion of the cell's cytoplasm.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the inner, usually more granular and dense part of the cytoplasm of a cell, contrasted with the ectoplasm (the outer, clearer layer).
Under the microscope, the endoplasm appeared granular and contained many organelles such as mitochondria and ribosomes.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/13 08:44