The word "protogenic" describes something that is original or primordial in nature, but there might be other ways to express this meaning. Synonyms for "protogenic" include "primitive," "first," "initial," and "fundamental." Other possible alternatives might be "primary," "basic," "elemental," or "underlying." These synonyms all suggest something foundational or essential to the development of a system or concept. However, the connotations of each word could differ depending on the context. For example, "primitive" might suggest an early stage of development, whereas "fundamental" implies something critical or indispensable.