From the ancient Greek πρώτον (first) + verb πλάθω or πλάττω (to mould: deriv. plastic), initially referred to the first organized body of a species. This meaning is similar to the non-biological definition, the first from which all subsequent forms are derived. A protoplast is a bacterial cell characterized by having a cell wall, but free of a capsule.
Subsequently it has several biological definitions:
A protoplast is a plant, bacterial or fungal cell that has had its cell wall completely or partially removed using either mechanical or enzymatic means.
Protoplasts - Have their cell wall entirely removed
Spheroplasts - Have their cell wall only partially removed
More generally protoplast refers to that unit of biology which is composed of a cell's nucleus and the surrounding protoplasmic materials.
