Protoplasts
- Some
microorganisms,
both
eukaryotic
and
prokaryotic
(e.g.
yeasts,
molds,
bacteria,
some
higher
plants)
that
have
a
distinct
cell
wall
can
at
times
exist
without
a
cell
wall
in
what
is
designated
as
wall
less
state.
The
cell
membrane
and
its
intact
contents
are
then
called
a
protoplast.
Unless
the
solute
concentration
of
the
suspending
fluid
is
osmotically
protective
i.e.
high
enough
to
balance
the
intracellular
osmotic
pressure,
protoplasts
no
longer
retained
by
their
thick
walls,
usually
burst.
