noun
- The inner, more fluid layer of cytoplasm in a cell, especially in protozoans; also called endosarc.
Usage: biology; chiefly used in older or specialized texts; modern usage often prefers 'cytoplasm' or 'endosarc'
Examples
- The endoplasm of the amoeba contains the nucleus and most of the cell's organelles.
- Under the microscope, the endoplasm appeared more granular than the surrounding ectoplasm.
- In protozoans, the endoplasm is typically more viscous than the outer layer.
- The movement of the endoplasm helps the organism change shape and move.
- Early biologists distinguished between the endoplasm and ectoplasm to understand cell structure.