Аннотация:A review of the optical methods designed for the study of intracellular protoplasmic streaming is presented. While in case of low streaming velocities (less than 10 mcm/s) the computer analysis of the images of moving protoplasm is effective, for higher velocities the laser Doppler microscopy has an advantage. With the help of the Doppler technique it is possible to determine the velocity profiles for nonstationary protoplasmic streamings in amoeboid cells. These data and also complex time changes of protoplasmic flow in response to external factors enable to determine and to specify parameters used for designing mathematical models of intracellular dynamics. As an example, results of experiments, modelling and simulations are presented for myxomycete plasmodium Physarum polycephalum which is a huge cell with typical amoeboid properties.