Protoplasm or bioplasm is the physical basis of life encompassing the total contents of a cell. Protoplasm consists mostly of a mix of proteins including a nucleus and cytoplasm.
Space amoeba with visible protoplasm
The interior contents of the space amoeba encountered by the USS Intrepid and USS Enterprise consisted of protoplasm, varying from a firmer gelatinous layer to a semi fluid central mass. Spock later entered the amoeba's protoplasm aboard the shuttle Galileo, and later, once the Enterprise entered the amoeba and the consideration to use the ship's phasers to break free posed the issue of potentially cooking the crew along with the protoplasm. Later consideration to use a probe to destroy the amoeba was questioned because the eddies within the protoplasm could run the probe thousands of kilometers off the intended course. (TOS: "The Immunity Syndrome")
The meat discovered in the Slaver's stasis box was determine by the Kzinti to be protoplasmic and poisonous. (TAS: "The Slaver Weapon")
After Odo was transformed into a full Human by the Founders, Doctor Bashir noted that he did not have "a trace of changeling protoplasm in [his] entire system." (DS9: "Broken Link")
When it was proposed that the Doctor was to beam down to the surface of Kelemane's planet with the ability to change his appearance to mimic the inhabitants, the Doctor inquired, "what if they're big purple blobs of protoplasm?" Captain Janeway told him that he would be "the best-looking blob on the planet." (VOY: "Blink of an Eye")
See also
- Bevvox
- Bioplasmic energy
- Bioplasmic organism