Defn: An alkaloid found in opium in small quantities, and extracted as a white crystalline substance.
PROTOPLASM
Pro"to*plasm, n. Etym: [Proto- + Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: The viscid and more or less granular material of vegetable and animal cells, possessed of vital properties by which the processes of nutrition, secretion, and growth go forward; the so-called " physical basis of life;" the original cell substance, cytoplasm, cytoblastema, bioplasm sarcode, etc.
Note: The lowest forms of animal and vegetable life (unicellular organisms) consist of simple or unaltered protoplasm; the tissues of the higher organisms, of differentiated protoplasm.
PROTOPLASMATIC
Pro`to*plas*mat"ic, a.
Defn: Protoplasmic.
PROTOPLASMIC
Pro`to*plas"mic, a.
1. Of or pertaining to the first formation of living bodies.
2. (Biol.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to protoplasm; consisting of, or resembling, protoplasm.