What is Cytoplasm?
The cell is the functional unit of our body. The cytoplasm is considered a crucial part of the cell. It is the jelly-like fluid inside the cell surrounding all internal structures of the cell. The cytoplasm is filled within each cell. It is enclosed by a cell membrane. The cytoplasm is mainly composed of water, salt, and proteins. In Eukaryotic cells, all organelles are located in cytoplasms such as the nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria. The portion of Cytoplasm that is not contained in the organelle is called cytosol. The cytoplasm is also called “The powerhouse of the cell.” In 1831, Robert Brown was the scientist who discovered cytoplasm. The actual name “ Cytoplasm” was given in 1874.
(Image will be uploaded soon)
What is Protoplasm?
The living portion of the cell, protoplasm, is made up of a variety of cellular organelles. It is a jelly-like living substance that is colorless, translucent, and viscous that is found within the cell wall. The word protoplasm was coined in 1835, and it is considered the primary substance because it is responsible for all biological functions.
Cells were thought to be protoplasm-containers. The hypothesis, however, was unable to explain the origins of structures created within the cell, particularly the nucleus. In a eukaryotic cell, the cytoplasm is the first component of protoplasm, which lies between the cell membrane and the nucleus. The cytoplasm of a cell is responsible for maintaining the cell's environment, maintaining cell shape, and storing compounds needed by the organelle. The nucleus, which holds an organism's genetic information, is the second component of protoplasm. Ribosomes can also be located in the nucleus, which is required for the cell's protein creation. Instead of a nucleus, prokaryotes have a nucleoid that contains all of the genetic information.
(Image will be uploaded soon)
Cytoplasm
The cytoplasm is highly organized. It may appear to have no form or structure. The cytoskeleton is a framework of protein scaffolds that provide the cytoplasm with its structure.
The cytoplasm also contains chromatin including plant and animal cells. Cytosol fills the spaces and all the Cell organelle are suspended in it.
Many different molecules are dissolved in the cytoplasm like enzymes, fatty acids, sugars, and amino acids. All of these help the cell to work. Waste products are also dissolved in Cytoplasm.
Parts of Cytoplasm
The cytoplasm has two main parts or components. The Endoplasm and Ectoplasm. The endoplasm is located in the central area of the cytoplasm containing organelles.
A gel-like substance on the outer surface of the cytoplasm is called Ectoplasm.
Protoplasm
Protoplasm is a translucent substance. It is considered a living substance. The protoplasm is derived from the Greek word "Protos" which means the first and "plasma" means things formed.
It is a jelly-like material that encloses the cell membrane, the cytoplasm, and the nucleus. It consists of about 90% of water, lipids, salt proteins, and carbohydrates.
Protoplasm is a colourless, selectively permeable, granular, elastic, and colloidal substance.
Functions of Cytoplasm
Mitochondria help in cellular respiration.
The process of glycolysis and cell division takes place in the cytoplasm.
The cytoplasm is responsible for holding the components of the cell and protecting them from damage.
Cytoplasm provides shape to the cell.
The cytoplasm contains various chemicals.
Processes such as cellular respiration for breathing, synthesizing proteins are supported by cytoplasm.
Cytoplasm helps in mitosis and meiosis cell division.
Cytoplasm helps in moving items around in the cell by a process called cytoplasmic streaming.
The cytoplasm has numerous salts so it can conduct electricity.
Cytoplasm acts as a buffer to protect the genetic material of the cell.
Functions of Protoplasm
As Protoplasm is a translucent, viscid, and watery substance, it provides shape to the organism.
Protoplasm responds to stimuli and also it helps to get rid of excretory products.
Difference Between Cytoplasm and Protoplasm
What Would Happen to the Cell Without Cytoplasm?
Without Cytoplasm, a cell could not retain its shape which means the cell would be deflated and flat. The organelles would not stay suspended in a solution of a cell without the support of Cytoplasm.
FAQs on Difference between Cytoplasm and Protoplasm
1. What are the characteristics of cytoplasm?
The cytoplasm is a heterogeneous mixture of organic compounds and opaque granules. These two components give colloidal nature to the suspended organelles. Cytoplasm holds different shapes and sizes of particles in it. The cytoplasm contains 20- 25℅ soluble and proteins that include enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids, and inorganic salts. It is 90℅ water and 10℅ organic and inorganic compounds. It contains mitochondria. Being an organelle, mitochondria generate power by the conversion of energy forms which is needed to cell. Ribosomes of the cytoplasm consist of proteins and DNA. Ribosomes have the important task of assembling all the proteins in the cell. Lysosomes of the cytoplasm contain 50 different enzymes that digest proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. The endoplasmic reticulum produces process and transport proteins, lipids for all the components in a cell. Golgi apparatus performs the function of manufacturing, storing, and shipping cellular products from the endoplasmic reticulum.
2. What is cyclosis?
Cytoplasmic streaming or Cyclosis is a process by which substances move around in a cell. Cyclosis is observed in different types of cells such as Amoeba, plant cells, fungi, and protozoa. Factors affecting streaming movement are temperature, light, hormones, or chemicals. Cyclosis is the activity of microfilm. Here, the motor proteins can move organelles and molecules within the cytoplasm. The purpose of cyclosis is to enable materials to reach all parts of a cell including oxygen and nutrients. Cyclosis is observed in large plant and animal cells. Cytoplasmic streaming occurs in one direction along the action occurs. Cytoplasmic streaming enables chloroplasts to move around to maximize light absorption necessary for photosynthesis.
