noun HSK 6
Traditional 細胞質
bāo zhì
cytoplasm

Meaning

Cytoplasm refers to the gel-like substance inside a cell membrane that surrounds the nucleus. It contains various organelles, proteins, and molecules necessary for cellular functions. This is a technical biological term used in scientific contexts.

Usage

This is a formal scientific term used primarily in biology, medicine, and academic settings. Native speakers would encounter it in textbooks, scientific papers, or biology classes. In everyday conversation, it rarely appears unless discussing cellular biology.

Examples

  1. 01
    细胞质中含有许多重要的细胞器。
    bāo zhì zhōng hán yǒu duō zhòng yào de bāo .
    The cytoplasm contains many important organelles.
  2. 02
    植物细胞的细胞质会发生流动现象。
    Zhí bāo de bāo zhì huì shēng liú dòng xiàn xiàng.
    Cytoplasmic streaming occurs in plant cells.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 细胞质流动
    bāo zhì liú dòng
    cytoplasmic streaming
  • 细胞质基质
    bāo zhì zhì
    cytoplasmic matrix

Origin

The term is a calque from modern scientific terminology. 细胞 (cell) literally means 'fine compartment' and was coined in the late 19th century when Western biology was introduced to China. 质 (substance) was added to denote the material within the cell.

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