Enchylema

/ɛnˈkaɪləmə/ noun

Definition

The fluid contents inside a cell, especially the cytoplasm or cell sap in plant and animal cells.

Etymology

From Greek en- (in) + khýlē (juice) + -ma (substance). The word literally means 'juice inside,' describing the liquid medium of the cell.

Kelly Says

Before scientists understood cells properly, they called the gooey stuff inside 'enchylema'—now we know it's basically cytoplasm, but the old name reminds us that cells are mostly water!

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