The substance that makes up the living parts of cells.
Example:
Protoplasm is a mixture of organic and inorganic substances, such as protein and water, and is regarded as the physical basis of life.
The term protoplasm was first used with its present meaning in 1846 by Hugo von Mohl, a German professor of botany. After studying plant cells, he conceived the idea that the nucleus was surrounded by a jellylike material that formed the main substance of the cell Von Mohl is also remembered for being the first to propose that new cells are formed by cell division.