Protoplast is

Options

A. another name for protoplasm
B. an animal cell
C. a plant cell without a cell wall
D. a plant cell

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Term "Protoplast":**
- Protoplast is a biological term that refers to the entire cell of a plant, excluding the cell wall. It is important to note that the protoplast includes all the contents of the cell, such as the cytoplasm, nucleus, and other organelles, but does not include the rigid outer layer (cell wall).

2. **Historical Context:**
- The term "protoplast" was coined by a scientist named Hanstein in the year 1880. This historical context helps us understand that the term has been in use for a long time and is well-established in biological terminology.

3. **Distinguishing Protoplast from Other Terms:**
- It is crucial to differentiate protoplast from other related terms. For instance:
- Protoplasm is often used interchangeably with cytoplasm, but it encompasses more than just the cytoplasm.
- An animal cell, which is a eukaryotic cell, does not have a cell wall at all, so it is not synonymous with protoplast.
- A plant cell, by definition, has a cell wall, so it cannot be referred to as a protoplast unless the cell wall is excluded from consideration.

4. **Conclusion:**
- Therefore, the correct definition of protoplast is: "A plant cell without a cell wall." This is the most accurate description of what a protoplast is.

**Final Answer:**
Protoplast is a plant cell without a cell wall.

---