ectoplasm

/ˈɛktəˌplæzəm/
noun
  1. In spiritualism, a substance said to come from the body of a medium during a trance, often described as a misty or jelly-like material.
    • Skeptics argued that the ectoplasm was actually made of cheesecloth.
    • The séance claimed to produce ectoplasm that floated in the dark room.
    • Old photographs show mediums with ectoplasm streaming from their mouths.
  2. The outer layer of the cytoplasm in a cell, which is more gel-like than the inner layer.
    • Under the microscope, the cell's ectoplasm appeared clearer than the inner cytoplasm.
    • Scientists study how the ectoplasm interacts with the cell membrane.
    • The ectoplasm of the amoeba helps it change shape and move.