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Difference Between Cytoplasm and Protoplasm: Definitions, Examples, Functions, and Sample Questions

Nikita Parmar

Updated on 28th August, 2023 , 5 min read

Difference Between Cytoplasm and Protoplasm Overview

Cytoplasm accounts for around 70% of the cell's substance. It is composed of water and structural fibers. Proplasm is made up of the cytoplasm, nucleus, and nucleoplasm. All of the organelles floating in the cytoplasm, as well as the nucleus, are found in the protoplasm. Cytoplasm acts as a buffer for a cell's genetic material, whilst protoplasm is in charge of giving an organism shape.

Difference Between Cytoplasm and Protoplasm: Definitions

Cytoplasm

Our body's functional unit is the cell. The cytoplasm is a vital component of the cell. It is the jelly-like fluid that surrounds all of the cell's interior components. Each cell is filled with cytoplasm. A cell membrane surrounds it. The cytoplasm is mostly made up of water, salt, and proteins. All organelles of Eukaryotic cells, such as the nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria, are found in the cytoplasm. The cytosol is the component of the Cytoplasm that is not enclosed inside the organelle. The cytoplasm is often known as "the cell's powerhouse." Robert Brown was the scientist who discovered cytoplasm in 1831. The term "Cytoplasm" was coined in 1874.

Protoplasm

The protoplasm, or live component of the cell, is made up of a number of cellular organelles. It is a colorless, transparent, and viscous jelly-like living fluid located within the cell wall. The term protoplasm was created in 1835, and it is regarded as the main material since it is in charge of all biological operations. Cells were assumed to be protoplasm storage units. The cytoplasm is the initial component of protoplasm in a eukaryotic cell, located between the cell membrane and the nucleus. A cell's cytoplasm is in charge of maintaining the cell's environment, maintaining cell shape, and storing substances required by the organelle.

The second component of protoplasm is the nucleus, which contains an organism's genetic information. Ribosomes can also be found in the nucleus, which is essential for protein synthesis in the cell. Prokaryotes have a nucleoid that holds all of the genetic material instead of a nucleus.

Difference Between Cytoplasm and Protoplasm: Examples

The protoplasm is a complex collection of tiny molecules, including ions, monosaccharides, and amino acids, as well as macromolecules like proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, and so on.

The cytoplasm is similar to a jelly salad in that it surrounds and suspends the cell's organelles in the same way that jelly surrounds and suspends the fruit in a jelly salad.

Difference Between Cytoplasm and Protoplasm: Functions

Functions of Cytoplasm

  1. Mitochondria contribute to cellular respiration.
  2. Various substances are found in the cytoplasm.
  3. Cytoplasm supports processes such as cellular respiration for breathing and protein synthesis.
  4. Cytoplasm aids in cell division during mitosis and meiosis.
  5. Because the cytoplasm contains various salts, it can conduct electricity.
  6. Cytoplasm works as a buffer to protect the cell's genetic material.
  7. The cytoplasm is where glycolysis and cell division take place.
  8. The cytoplasm is in charge of keeping the cell's components together and safeguarding them from harm.
  9. The cell's form is provided by cytoplasm.
  10. Cytoplasm aids in the movement of things throughout the cell through a process known as cytoplasmic streaming.

Functions of Protoplasm

Because protoplasm is a transparent, viscid, and fluid material, it gives the organism its form.

The protoplasm reacts to stimuli and aids in the elimination of excretory products.

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Difference Between Cytoplasm and Protoplasm

Cytoplasm accounts for around 70% of the cell's contents. It is composed of structural parts and fluid. Cytoplasm, the nucleus, and nucleoplasm make up protoplasm. So, protoplasm comprises all the organelles floating in the cytosol and the nucleus. The following are the two main distinctions between cytoplasm and protoplasm-

Parameters

Cytoplasm

Protoplasm 

Meaning 

It is made up of cytosol, a jelly-like material, and all cell organelles.

It comprises the cytosol, cell organelles, and the nucleus.

Nucleus

It consists of water and structural fibers.

It is made up of three parts: cytoplasm, nucleoplasm, and nucleus.

Nucleus

The nucleus is not present.

The nucleus is present.

Constituents 

Inclusions, cytosol, and organelles are all components of the cytoplasm.

It is a viscous, thick fluid composed of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and inorganic ions.

Correlation

The cytoplasm is a component of the protoplasm. 

The cytoplasm is included in the protoplasm.

Structure

Its structure, with the exception of the nucleoplasm, is made up of mitochondria, lysosomes, Golgi bodies, and ribosomes, the endoplasmic reticulum, and so on.

The protoplasm structure is made up of cytoplasm and nucleoplasm.

Also read more about the Difference Between Monocot and Dicot and Difference Between Manure and Fertilizers.

NOTE: Because prokaryotes lack a nucleus and other cell organelles, only the cytoplasm is present. The cytoplasm includes chromatin and acts as the nucleoplasm in prokaryotes to safeguard genetic material. Because the nucleus is present in eukaryotes, it covers both the interior and exterior of the cell.

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Difference Between Cytoplasm and Protoplasm Conclusion

The distinction between cytoplasm and protoplasm is nearly imperceptible; both names are used interchangeably. However, for academic purposes, the cytoplasm includes everything inside the cell membrane except the nucleus. And protoplasm contains cytoplasm as well as the cell's nucleus.

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Things to Remember

  1. Despite the fact that cytoplasm and protoplasm have different definitions, they are sometimes used interchangeably.
  2. The cytoplasm is made up of mitochondria, lysosomes, Golgi bodies, ribosomes, and the endoplasmic reticulum.
  3. In contrast, protoplasm is made up of a nucleus and cytoplasm.
  4. Although it is a component of the protoplasm, nucleoplasm is not included in the cytoplasm.
  5. It must exist in the cytoplasm in the form of sol-gel, glass, or other odd forms.
  6. Protoplasm, on the other hand, takes the shape of a jelly-like gel or a liquid sol.

Sample Questions on the Difference Between Cytoplasm and Protoplasm

Sample Question 1: How is the cytoplasm of one cell linked to the cytoplasm of the others?

Ans. A plant cell is surrounded by a nonliving cell wall. Cell-to-cell contacts are formed by plasmodesmata in plants. The cell wall contains cytoplasmic bridges, known as plasmodesmata, that help link nearby cells. A plasmodesma is a tiny cytoplasmic channel that is surrounded by a plasma membrane and usually contains a desmotubule endoplasmic reticulum tubule.

Sample Question 2: What would happen if a cell did not contain cytoplasm?

Ans. A cell would lose its shape if it lacked cytoplasm, implying it would be deflated and flat. Organelles would sink to the bottom of a cell's fluid if not for cytoplasm.

Sample Question 3: Is there cytoplasm in both plant and animal cells?

Ans. Both animal and plant cells have a nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria, and cell membrane. A vacuole, chloroplast, and cell wall are other components present in plant cells.

Sample Question 4: What exactly is cyclosis?

Ans. The flow of substances within a cell is referred to as "cytoplasmic streaming." Cyclosis can be detected in amoebas, plant cells, fungi, and protozoa. Streaming movement is influenced by temperature, light, hormones, and chemicals. Cyclosis is a microfilm activity. Motor proteins can move organelles and molecules inside the cytoplasm. The purpose of cyclosis is to allow things like oxygen and nutrients to reach all parts of a cell. Cyclosis occurs in large plant and animal cells. Cytoplasmic streaming occurs in one direction along actin. To optimize light absorption for photosynthesis, chloroplasts can move about in cytoplasmic streaming.

Sample Question 5: What are the components of cytoplasm?

Ans. Endoplasm and Ectoplasm are the two basic parts or components of the cytoplasm. The endoplasm, which includes organelles, is situated in the core portion of the cytoplasm. Ectoplasm is a gel-like substance located on the outer surface of the cytoplasm.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the distinction between cytoplasm and cytosol?

Ans. There is unquestionably a distinction between cytoplasm and cytosol. Cytosol simply refers to the intracellular fluid found within cells. Cytoplasm, on the other hand, is a component of the cell that exists entirely within the cell membrane.

Why is cytoplasm so vital to the cell?

Ans. The existence of cytoplasm in a cell is the most crucial factor. This is due to the fact that without cytoplasm, the cell would be unable to maintain its form. It might cause the cell to flatten and deflate. The organelles would not be properly suspended in the cytoplasmic fluid. These might cause the cell to operate and behave abnormally.

What exactly do you mean by protoplasm?

Ans. Protoplasm is a jelly-like material that houses a variety of biological and chemical processes. Furthermore, the word protoplasm is a Greek word whose meaning turns out to be "first thing produced." Furthermore, 90% of protoplasm is composed of proteins, salts, carbohydrates, lipids, and water.

What is the process of cyclosis?

Ans. This is known as cytoplasmic streaming or cyclosis. This is supposed to represent the movement of cytoplasm within a cell. The cytoskeleton’s forces may cause them to flow. This aids in the transfer of food and chemicals throughout the cell’s organelles. It expedites transit inside a cell.

Can you explain the distinction between cytoplasm and protoplasm?

Ans. One distinction between cytoplasm and protoplasm is based on structural differences. With the notable exception of the nucleus, the cytoplasm contains several organelles such as the Golgi body, ribosomes, mitochondria, lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, and so on. In contrast, protoplasm contains both the nucleus and the cytoplasm, making it a hybrid of the two.

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