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Protoplasm is known as the physical basis of the cell as it helps in providing proper structure to the cells and assists the cell to perform their physical activities. Cells need a proper structure for their growth and development and also need energy to perform their regular activities.
Protoplasm: Definition
Protoplasm is a living substance that plays a crucial role in the development of cells. Protoplasm in plant cells is surrounded by a wall, known as the cell wall. The animal cells fully consist of protoplasm, which is surrounded by a cell membrane for the protection of the cell. The term protoplasm was coined by Mr. Hugo von Mohl.
A large amount of water is present in formation of protoplasm in the living organisms as it consists of 70-80% of water.
Protoplasm is known as the living components of a cell. It is made up of various biomolecules products like carbohydrates , lipids, proteins and nucleic acid and it also plays a vital role in holding inorganic salts and water molecules.
In modern times, the term protoplasm is not much used, since it was mainly used to describe that a cell consists of two elements: a cytoplasm and a nucleus.
Cytoplasm is a highly complex structure and it consists of several complicated organelles. So , we can say that in plants and animals, the protoplasm which is present inside the nucleus is known as nucleoplasm and whereas the protoplasm which is present outside the nucleus is called the cytoplasm.
Protoplasm: Structure and Components
Protoplasm mainly consists of three components:
Plasma Membrane or Cell Membrane: It provides help in separating the inner part of the cell from the external environment and plays an important role in regulating the flow of materials of the cell.
Nucleus: It is one of the important parts in formation of protoplasm which contains an organism's genetic material and plays a role in controlling the activities of the cell. Nucleus is a home of ribosomes, which are the essential components for producing proteins in the cell.
Cytoplasm: This is the most important component of a protoplasm which exists between the cell membrane and the nucleus as it maintains a proper environment that allows organelles to perform their tasks.
Proteins,enzymes,hormones,fats helps in making up the protoplasm as these are either dissolved and mixed or suspended in the water component of the protoplasm
Cytoplasm V/s Protoplasm
| Cytoplasm | Protoplasm |
|---|---|
| It is located between the cell membrane and the nucleus | It surrounds cell membrane , cytoplasm and nucleus |
| Does not contains nucleus | Contains nucleus |
| It is a type of jelly-like fluid which contains water and proteins. | It is a thick fluid which contains lipids,organic salts and carbohydrates |
Protoplasms: Functions
Protoplasms help the cell to perform all the essential steps. Various functions performed by the protoplasms includes transforming food into living matter , removing waste products, providing nutrients and oxygen and renewing their worn parts and helps in producing new cells.The functions performed by protoplasm are discussed in brief :
Metabolism: Protoplasm is responsible for performing metabolisms activities which helps the cell to keep alive.
Excretion: It is very important for a cell to excrete out the waste products as these may be harmful for the cell and excretory products include urine,sweat,hormones and digestive enzymes
Reproduction: As we know that cells divide to form identical cells and it can help in the process of reproduction of cells.
Chemical: As we have seen that cell perform many of its activities within the cell itself, and some form of energy is compulsorily required for various organisms to perform chemical reactions and the energy present in plants comes from the photosynthesis process while in the energy that comes in animal cell comes through the process of respiration.
Structure and Support: Protoplasm plays an important function in providing support and structure to the cells.
Irritability: Protoplasm is having the ability to respond to things i.e. stimuli, and an important aspect of life of the cell.
Transport: Cells have to transport the food and remove the waste excreted material and cells produce the nutrients used.
Growth: increase in cell size will result in an increase in cytoplasm , and protoplasms help in growth of cells and increase in height of the cell and number of cells will also be increased.
Things to Remember
- Protoplasm is also known as the physical basis of the cell as it is the main component for development of protoplasm.
- It consists of many products like carbohydrates,lipids,proteins and nucleic acid.
- Protoplasms mainly consists of three elements : Plasma membrane,nucleus and Cytoplasm
- Protoplasm helps in performing various functions like transport of food materials , excretion of waste materials, growth and development ,reproduction.
- In the present time, the term protoplasm is not so much used , cytoplasm is used in replace of protoplasm.
Sample Questions
Ques. What is the composition of protoplasm? (2 marks)
Ans. The protoplasm is known as the living part of the cell , which is surrounded by the plasma membrane or cell membrane.Protoplasm includes cytoplasm and nucleoplasm and it is made up of amino acids, ions , nucleic acids,lipids,water,inorganic ,salts ,proteins,polysaccharides and monosaccharides.
Ques. Explain the functions of protoplasm? (2 marks)
Ans. Protoplasm performs a variety of functions in cells and therefore it is known as the living part of the cell.
- It also helps the cell to control all of their major activities .
- Helps in growth and reproduction of cells.
- Providing a suitable environment for a cell to develop.
- Gives a proper shape and maintains structure of the cell.
Ques. Define Protoplasm? (2 marks)
Ans. Protoplasm is a type of semi fluid liquid and it is known as a combination of nucleus and cytoplasm and is popularly known as the physical basis of life as it is responsible for performing all the basic activities of the cell and performs the same role as human cells.
Ques. What is protoplasm? (2 marks)
Ans. Protoplasm is known as the living part of the cell which comprises different cellular organelles . It is a type of jelly-like substance having no colour and a transparent body and a type of viscous living substance which is present inside the cell wall. The term is not much used in modern biology; it has been replaced with the term cytoplasm.
Ques. Explain the components of a protoplasm (3 marks)
Ans. Protoplasm mainly consists of three components:
Plasma/cell membrane: It is a type of wall located outside the protoplasm that helps in protection of cells against the external environment.
Cytoplasm: This is the primary element of a protoplasm and is situated between the cell membrane and the nucleus and it includes both suspended and dissolved living matter and it contains more than 70% of water and helps in providing a suitable environment.
Nucleus: It is one of the important parts in formation of protoplasm and known as a secondary element which contains an organism's genetic material and plays a role in controlling the activities of the cell. Nucleus is a home of ribosomes,and is known as the control unit of the eukaryotic cell and plays a vital role in growth and reproduction of cells.
Ques. Distinguish between Cytoplasm and Protoplasm? (3 marks)
Ans: The major difference between Cytoplasm and Protoplasm is:
| Cytoplasm | Protoplasm |
|---|---|
| It is situated between the cell membrane and the nucleus | It is surrounded by Cytoplasm, nucleus and cell membrane |
| It contains various organelles like Mitochondria,endoplasmic reticulum and golgi bodies | It involves cytoplasm and nucleus |
| It is a type of jelly-like substance which mainly contains water , and other things are food reserves,proteins and metabolic wastes. | It comprises of lipids,organic salts , carbohydrates and nucleic acids |
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