Jan Evangelista Purkyne (also written Johann Evangelist Purkinje) (17 or 18 December 1787 – 28 July 1869) was a Czech anatomist and physiologist. In 1839, he coined the term 'protoplasm' for the fluid substance of a cell. He was one of the best known scientists of his time.

The term 'protoplasm' was coined in the mid-19th century by a Scottish botanist and physiologist named Hugo von Mohl. Von Mohl is widely regarded as the first person to use the term in its modern scientific context.



Hugo von Mohl was born on April 8, 1805, in Stuttgart, Germany. He developed a keen interest in botany and went on to study medicine at the University of Tübingen. However, his true passion lay in botany, and he soon shifted his focus to the study of plants. Von Mohl made significant contributions to the field of plant physiology throughout his career.



In the mid-19th century, there was a growing interest in understanding the fundamental nature of living organisms. Scientists sought to identify the substance responsible for the vital processes in plants and animals. Hugo von Mohl, in his research, proposed the term 'protoplasm' to describe this substance.

Definition of Protoplasm:
Protoplasm refers to the colorless, jelly-like substance that constitutes the living matter within cells. It encompasses the cytoplasm, which includes the organelles and various other cellular components, as well as the nucleus.

Significance of the Coined Term
The coining of the term 'protoplasm' was significant as it provided a unifying concept for understanding the basic building blocks of life. It allowed scientists to recognize the similarities between the cells of plants and animals. This concept revolutionized the field of biology, particularly cell biology and physiology, by providing a framework for further research and discoveries.

Legacy of the Term
The concept of protoplasm laid the foundation for the Cell Theory, which states that all living organisms are composed of cells and that cells are the basic units of life. This theory, further developed by other scientists such as Theodor Schwann and Matthias Schleiden, became a fundamental principle in biology.

Today, the term 'protoplasm' is not commonly used in scientific literature. However, its introduction and subsequent exploration played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the fundamental nature of life at the cellular level.