1. a bacterial or plant cell that has had its cell wall partially or completely removed, leaving only the cell membrane
Usage: biology; microbiology

Examples

• The researchers created spheroplasts by treating the bacteria with lysozyme.
• Spheroplasts are more fragile than normal cells because they lack the protective cell wall.
• The laboratory used spheroplasts to study membrane permeability.
• Plant spheroplasts can be produced by removing the cellulose cell wall with enzymes.
• Spheroplasts are useful in genetic engineering experiments.
• The spheroplast preparation allowed scientists to observe cellular processes more clearly.