cytoplasmic streaming

This term describes a specialized biological process primarily observed in large plant cells, such as those in algae or certain seed plants. It is characterized by a directional, circular flow of the cytosol, which prevents the stagnation of nutrients and ensures that organelles like chloroplasts are distributed efficiently across the cell's interior.

In a scientific register, this process is often referred to as cyclosis. While the term is descriptive, it implies an active, energy-dependent mechanism involving the cytoskeleton, specifically actin filaments and myosin motors, rather than a passive diffusion of materials.