plasmasoma

A plasmosoma is a hypothetical intracellular organelle proposed to exist in certain protozoa, particularly amoeboid forms. The concept of the plasmosoma suggests it is a small, membrane-bound vesicle that contains a concentrated fluid or gel. Its proposed function is related to the storage and release of specific cellular products, potentially enzymes or other signaling molecules. The term itself is derived from "plasma" referring to the protoplasm of the cell and "soma" meaning body.

While the existence and precise function of plasmosomas have not been definitively proven or widely accepted within cell biology, the idea emerged from observations of unique structures within the cytoplasm of some protozoan species. Researchers who proposed the existence of plasmosomas suggested they might play a role in processes such as digestion, defense, or differentiation. However, due to the lack of consistent ultrastructural evidence and clear functional studies, the plasmosoma remains a largely speculative entity. Modern cellular microscopy and biochemical techniques have generally not identified structures that are unequivocally identified as plasmosomas with distinct characteristics separate from other known organelles like vacuoles or lysosomes. Therefore, its status in contemporary cell biology is considered uncertain.