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NEET UG 2027: Registration, Syllabus, Exam Date & CBT » NEET UG Difference Between » Cytoplasm and protoplasm
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Cytoplasm and protoplasm

Protoplasm is considered to be the living part of the cell and cytoplasm is a fluid which includes all the organelles except the nucleus. Both have some similarities and differences.

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We all know that a cell is the building block of our body and they are made up of many organelles.

Cytoplasm is a substance found to be semi-fluidic in nature. It is present inside the boundaries of the cell membranes but is not present inside the nucleus. Cytoplasm has been seen to be colourless in nature and comprises 80% water. Components of the cytoplasm are:

  • Cytosol- It is a liquid which is found internally, inside the cell. Some of the cell organelles have membranes and their membranes separate this intracellular fluid from other intracellular fluids
  • Organelles – These are the parts of the cell which contribute to the proper working of the cell. Each and every organelle has its own distinctive function. Eg- golgi body, mitochondria etc
  • Cytoplasmic Inclusions. – These are some non living substances and are not enclosed within any membranes These are mainly stores of nutrients and other pigment portions

Protoplasm can be defined as the living portion of a cell which is enclosed with the cell membrane. The protoplasm is translucent, slimy and granular in nature. It has a property to usually get opaque on being heated.

Components of the protoplasm are as follows:

  • All the cell organelles
  • 75% to 95% of water
  • Carbohydrates.
  • Ions
  • Fatty acids, etc

Differences between Cytoplasm and protoplasm.

As we know cytoplasm is the substance which is found within the cell membrane and contains all the living portions of a cell. On the other hand protoplasm is  referred to all the living portion of a cell which is enclosed on the cell membrane. The main difference is that the nucleoplasm is a part of the protoplasm whereas the cytoplasm does not contain nucleoplasm as one of its components.

Nucleus

In easy word nucleus is defined as the brain of the cells. It contains a fluid known as the nucleoplasm inside its nuclear membrane. The cytoplasm does not include the nucleus inside it, whereas protoplasm is known to include the nucleus inside it.

Components

The cytoplasm has components such as inclusions, cytosol and cell organelles. The protoplasm is made up of 75% to 95% of water, amino acids, ions and a few more micro nutrients. Protoplasm also consists of some macros such as polysaccharides, lipids etc.

Origin

The cytoplasm was given by Rudolf Von Kalliker. He was a Swiss physiologist, anatomist and histologist. He was born on 6 July, 1917. He gave the term in 1863. It was also during the time of the 1980’s when English biologist Thomas Henry Huxley debated on the topic if protoplasm should be called as a cell but later the debate was solved and it has been called protoplasm since then.

General

The cytoplasm is a part of the protoplasm whereas the protoplasm covers more ground and comprises the cytoplasm and the nucleoplasm both. So we can say that protoplasm is bigger than the cytoplasm as cytoplasm is a part of it and the protoplasm still has other parts in it.

Other Synonyms

The cytoplasm is also known called as the protoplasm at several times and this is so because the cytoplasm is a part of the protoplasm, whereas the protoplasm can be termed as the protoplasm, metaplasm and primordial schlauch bioplasma, etc. 

Structural formation

Mitochondria, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum and many other cell organelles give structure to the cytoplasm except the nucleus and the nucleoplasm. On the other hand the protoplasm is structured by the cytoplasm and the nucleoplasm both.

Existence

The cytoplasm exists inside the cell in the form of a sol-gel or glass. It even takes some un orthodox shapes. There are two simple yet different forms of the protoplasm existence which are in four of a semi-fluid or jelly like substance and a liquid form of sol. 

Conclusion

The organelles inside the cells work to fulfil the cell’s motives. Cytoplasm and protoplasm contains these components and looks after the structural stability of the cell. So we can say that cytoplasm and protoplasm are equally important for the proper working of the cell. Although there were some complications in a few studies related to protoplasm and it’s components we can finally conclude with the fact that except for a few differences cytoplasm and the protoplasm have similar functions to be performed.

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Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the NEET UG Examination Preparation.

What are the functions of cytoplasm?

Ans : The functions of cytoplasm are as follows ...Read full

Why is cytoplasm so important for the cell?

Ans : The presence of cytoplasm is the most important thing in a cell. This is so because without t...Read full

What are the functions of the protoplasm?

Ans : The functions of the protoplasm errors follows ...Read full

Describe the process of cyclosis?

Ans : This can be called cytoplasmic streaming or cyclosis . This is meant to be the flowing of the...Read full

Ans : The functions of cytoplasm are as follows

  • Cytoplasm helps in the metabolism inside the cell as it is the site where many reactions of enzymes take place.
  • They maintain the internal placements of the organelles inside the cell.
  • The cytoplasm contains chloroplast and mitochondria both of them contain their own genomes which have data related to inheritance.
  • Ribosomes present in the cytoplasm change the mRNA in the cells into proteins.
  • Cytoplasm is the pioneer of respiration in the cell as the process of glycolysis starts in the cytoplasm. This leads to the generation of ATP by the mitochondria.

Ans : The presence of cytoplasm is the most important thing in a cell. This is so because without the cytoplasm the cell would not be able to hold on to its shape. It could lead to the cell being flat and deflated. The proper suspension of the organelles in the cytoplasmic solution would also be missing. These could lead to unusual functioning and behaviour of the cell. 

Ans : The functions of the protoplasm errors follows

  • The protoplasm simply aids the life functions of a cell by providing place to carry the processes as they need to be.
  • The protoplasm is that part of the cell which makes the cell respond to the different types of stimuli such as temperature, light shocks etc.
  • The cell organelles and the other components of a cell get even distribution by the process of cyclosis.

Ans : This can be called cytoplasmic streaming or cyclosis . This is meant to be the flowing of the cytoplasm inside a cell. They can be flowing due to the forces of the cytoskeleton. This helps in the transportation of food, molecules in other organelles inside the cell. It speeds up the transportation inside a cell.

 

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