noun
protoplasm; plasma
Biological term for the living substance of a cell, including cytoplasm and nucleus. Used in scientific contexts.
細胞の原形質は、生命活動の基本単位です。
The protoplasm of a cell is the fundamental unit of life activity.
細胞質 (cytoplasm) refers specifically to the material outside the nucleus, while 原形質 (protoplasm) includes both cytoplasm and nucleoplasm.
Compound of 原 (gen, 'original') + 形質 (keishitsu, 'characteristics, traits'), likely a calque from German 'Protoplasma' or English 'protoplasm'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.