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somatoplasm

[ suh-mat-uh-plaz-uhm, soh-muh-tuh- ]

noun

, Cell Biology.
  1. the cytoplasm of a somatic cell, especially as distinguished from germ plasm.


somatoplasm

/ ˈsəʊmətəˌplæzəm /

noun

  1. biology
    1. the protoplasm of a somatic cell
    2. the somatic cells collectively Compare germ plasm
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˌsomatoˈplastic, adjective
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Other Words From

  • soma·to·plastic adjective
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Word History and Origins

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Example Sentences

In other words, but for the sake of constructing a speculative foundation for the support of his further theories as to "the architecture of germ-plasm" and the factors of organic evolution, there is no reason why Weismann should maintain the absolute separation of the "sphere" of germ-plasm from that of somatoplasm.

Weismann's theory involved the conception of a sharp cleavage between the general body tissues or somatoplasm and the reproductive glands or germplasm.

From this point of view every individual consists of only two parts,—germ-plasm and soma or somatoplasm.

Weismann's explanation of this change of germ-plasm into somatoplasm is very ingenious, and depends upon his theory of the structure of the germ-plasm; and this latter theory forms the basis of his theory of evolution.

To form the somatoplasm of the different tissues of the body, this complicated organization breaks up, as the egg divides, into an ever-increasing number of cells.

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somatomedinsomatopleure