Protoplast
/ˈproʊtəˌplæst/
Definition
Protoplast refers to the living contents of a plant cell enclosed by the plasma membrane, excluding the cell wall. It includes the cytoplasm, nucleus, and other organelles. In plant biology, the term is also used for a cell whose wall has been removed, usually by enzymes, leaving a membrane-bound cell that can be studied, cultured, or fused with another protoplast.
Role in Plant Biology
- Cell wall regeneration: After isolation, protoplast can rebuild a new cell wall under suitable culture conditions. This ability is central to studying wall formation and to regenerating whole plants from single cells in some species.
- Tool for plant genetics: Because the wall is absent, protoplast is useful for introducing DNA, RNA, or proteins into plant cells. That makes it a standard system for testing gene function and cell responses.
- Somatic fusion: Two protoplast cells from different plants can be fused to combine their cell contents. This method has been used to create somatic hybrids, which can help when ordinary crossing is difficult or impossible.
- Membrane and transport research: Without the wall, researchers can examine the plasma membrane more directly. This helps in studies of ion movement, signaling, and how plant cells respond to salt, drought, or other stresses.
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