Cytoplast

/ˈsaɪtəplæst/ noun

Definition

The cytoplasm of a cell, or a cell fragment containing cytoplasm but lacking a nucleus.

Etymology

From cyto- (Greek kytos, 'cell') + -plast (Greek plastos, 'formed' or 'molded'). The term emerged in the 19th century as scientists studied cell structure and needed vocabulary to describe non-nuclear cellular material.

Kelly Says

Scientists use cytoplasts in cutting-edge cloning research—they're essentially empty cellular shells that can be filled with DNA from other sources, which is how they created Dolly the sheep!

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