Cytoplasm vs Protoplasm
All the living cells contain protoplasm, consisting mainly of water, and acts as the physical basis of life. Cytoplasm and protoplasm are suspensions, which keep organelles, and provide sites to execute all the biological processes in a cell. Cytoplasm is considered as a part of protoplasm, which is the jelly-like fluid in the cell.
Cytoplasm is an amorous, translucent, homogenous colloidal liquid, which consists of organelles, proteins, food reserves, and metabolic wastes that surround the nucleus. The nucleus is not considered as a part or an organelle of cytoplasm. The major compound of the cytoplasm is water. In addition to water, it also contains proteins, carbohydrates, salts, wastes, gasses etc. The pH of cytoplasm is around 6.6, which is quite acidic. Organelles in cytoplasm (mitochondria, Golgi body, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosome etc.) have specific roles. For example; mitochondrion is responsible for cellular respiration, whereas ribosome act as the sites of protein synthesis.
Protoplasm is the jelly-like complex cell mass, where numerous biological and chemical activities take place in a living cell. Hence, it is considered as the living part of cell, and the physical basis of life. Generally, protoplasm contains 70 to 90 % water and the rest are mineral salts, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. However, depending on the cell type, the composition may vary widely. Protoplasm is composed of three parts; the cell membrane, the nucleus, and the cytoplasm.
In plant cells, the plasma membrane (cell membrane) separates the protoplasm from the cell wall. However, in animal cells, there are no such cell walls, and the cell entirely separates from the surrounding by plasma membrane. The viscosity of protoplasm influences the cell shape in animal cells.
What is the difference between Cytoplasm and Protoplasm?
• Cytoplasm is a part of protoplasm.
• Protoplasm includes the nucleus, whereas cytoplasm does not.
• Cytoplasm consists of organelles except the nucleus, whereas protoplasm consists of nucleus, cytoplasm, and plasma membrane.
• Unlike the cytoplasm, protoplasm is considered as the physical basis of life.