plastid

Pronunciation: plas′tid

Definition:

1. One of the differentiated structures in cytoplasm of plant cells where photosynthesis or other cellular processes take place; plasid contain DNA and are self-replicating.
2. One of the granules of foreign or differentiated matter, food particles, fat, waste material, chromatophores, trichocysts, etc., in cells.
3. A self-duplicating viruslike particle that multiplies within a host cell, such as κ particles in certain paramecia.

Synonym(s): trophoplast

[G. plastos, formed, + -id]

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