Definition of Cytoplasm

Cytoplasm: All of the substance of a cell outside of the nucleus. The cytoplasm contains a number of different types organelles such as the mitochondria.

Most, but not all, cells have cytoplasm. Mature sperm are essentially devoid of cytoplasm.

The word "cytoplasm" was compounded from two Greek roots -- "kytos," a hollow vessel + "plasma," plasm. From "kytos" came the prefix "cyto-," cell. Cytoplasm is literally cell plasm.

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