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.
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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.
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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 is the main difference between cytoplasm and protoplasm?
The primary difference lies in their composition and scope. Protoplasm refers to the entire living content of a cell, including the nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane. In contrast, cytoplasm is a component of the protoplasm, specifically the jelly-like substance that fills the cell and surrounds the nucleus but does not include the nucleus itself.
2. How are cytoplasm and protoplasm related? Are they the same thing?
Cytoplasm and protoplasm are not the same, but they are directly related. Protoplasm is the broader, all-encompassing term for all the living matter within a cell. It can be chemically described as: Protoplasm = Cytoplasm + Nucleus. Therefore, the cytoplasm is a major part of the protoplasm, but it excludes the contents of the nucleus.
3. What are the key components and functions of the cytoplasm?
The cytoplasm is a vital area for cellular activities and has three main components:
- Cytosol: The semi-fluid, jelly-like ground substance that fills the cell, primarily made of water, salts, and organic molecules.
- Organelles: Membrane-bound structures like mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus that perform specific functions for the cell.
- Inclusions: Stored nutrients, secretory products, and pigment granules that are temporarily suspended in the cytosol.
Its main function is to act as the site for most metabolic processes, such as glycolysis, and to hold and support the cell organelles.
4. What is the difference between cytoplasm and cytosol?
This is a common point of confusion. The cytosol is just the liquid or fluid portion of the cytoplasm, often called the intracellular fluid. The cytoplasm, however, is more comprehensive; it includes the cytosol plus all the organelles (like mitochondria and ribosomes) and inclusions that are suspended within that fluid. Essentially, cytosol is the 'soup', while cytoplasm is the 'soup plus all the ingredients' in it.
5. How does cytoplasm differ from nucleoplasm?
The difference between cytoplasm and nucleoplasm is their location within a eukaryotic cell. The cytoplasm is the entire region between the cell membrane and the nuclear envelope. In contrast, the nucleoplasm is the specific jelly-like substance found inside the nuclear envelope, which surrounds the chromosomes and nucleolus. Both are key parts of the cell's protoplasm.
6. Why is the cytoplasm so important for a cell's survival?
The cytoplasm is crucial for survival because it serves as a 'workshop' for the cell. It's the primary site for many fundamental metabolic reactions required for life, including the initial stages of cellular respiration (glycolysis). Furthermore, it physically supports and protects the cell's organelles and facilitates the transport of nutrients, waste products, and signals throughout the cell via a process called cytoplasmic streaming or cyclosis.
7. In which types of cells are protoplasm and cytoplasm found?
Both protoplasm and cytoplasm are fundamental components found in all living cells, including both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In eukaryotic cells (plants, animals, fungi), the protoplasm is clearly differentiated into cytoplasm and a nucleus. In prokaryotic cells (like bacteria), which lack a true nucleus, the entire internal living content is considered protoplasm, and the region it occupies is the cytoplasm.
