Question

Protoplasm is a ……….
(a)True solution
(b)Suspension
(c)Colloidal solution
(d)None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Protoplasm is the living contents of a cell. It is surrounded by a plasma membrane. It is composed of a mixture of small molecules such as ions, amino acids, monosaccharides, and water.

Complete answer:
Protoplasm is a colloidal solution. It is a general term used for the living substance of cells which is enclosed by the plasma membrane. It may be defined as the complex polyphasic crystal-colloidal complex that possesses all properties of life and is found inside the living cells.
Protoplasm is composed of a mixture of small molecules such as ions, amino acids, monosaccharides, and water and macromolecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides and is colloidal in nature. It is a general term for the cytoplasm. Protoplasm refers to the cytoplasm and nucleus of a cell. The term was first defined in 1835 as the ground substance of living material and, hence, responsible for all living processes. Today the term is used to mean simply the cytoplasm and nucleus. Dujardin discovered protoplasm and was named as Sarcode. Purkinje first introduced the term protoplasm. J.S Huxley defined protoplasm as the physical basis of life.

Additional Information:
-O. Hertwig proposed a protoplasmic theory. This theory states that all living matter of which animals and plants are formed is protoplasm.
-Not everything found in the protoplasm is alive. In eukaryotes, protoplasm is differentiated into nucleoplasm and cytoplasm.
-The Deutoplasm is the non-living substance formed by protoplasm during metabolism.

So, the correct answer is 'Colloidal solution'.

Note:
-Protoplasm is a jelly-like translucent elastic odorless fluid material.
-protoplasm can change viscous gel state to a more fluid state and vice versa. It contains nonpolar particles. Electrical conductivity is low.
-It can undergo growth and division. It can swell by imbibing water and can shrink by losing water.