ectoplasm (cell biology)

{{Other uses|Ectoplasm (disambiguation){{!}}Ectoplasm}}

Ectoplasm (also exoplasm) is the non-granulated outer part of a cell's cytoplasm, while endoplasm is its often granulated inner layer. It is clear, and protects as well as transports things within the cell.{{cite web|url=http://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/paramecium_color.html|title=Paramecium Coloring|author=|date=|website=www.biologycorner.com|access-date=23 April 2018}} Moreover, large numbers of actin filaments frequently occur in the ectoplasm, which form an elastic support for the cell membrane.{{cite book|title =Textbook of Medical Physiology, Eleventh Edition|author=Arthur C. Guyton, John E. Hall|publisher=Saunders}} It contains actin and myosin microfilaments. Amoebae form an outer zone of cytoplasm, known as ectoplasm, where actin and myosin association help move it forward.{{Cite book |last=Bogitsh |first=Burton J. |title=Human parasitology |last2=Carter |first2=Clint E. |last3=Oeltmann |first3=Thomas N. |date=2019 |publisher=Academic Press |isbn=978-0-12-813712-3 |edition=Fifth |location=London}}

The term comes from the Ancient Greek words ἐκτός ektos, "outside" and πλάσμα plasma, "anything formed."