The fluid portion of the cell cytoplasm, as distinguished from the solid components or organelles.
From Greek 'kytos' (cell) + 'chylos' (juice/fluid) + '-ema' (substance/result). An older term from early cytology distinguishing liquid cytoplasm from granular structures.
Scientists realized pretty quickly that cell cytoplasm wasn't homogeneous—it had a liquid part (cytochylema) and grainy parts (they called 'cytosomes')—but modern biologists just call it all cytoplasm and describe individual organelles instead!
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