The Protoplasm : Physical Nature And Properties

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Discovery of Protoplasm - Brief Description

  • Corti ( 1772 ) told about the presence of a fluid substances in the cell.
  • Dujardin ( 1835 ) studied these contents in certain Protozoa and described the matrix of cells as a homogeneous mass, which is called as Sarcode .
  • The matrix of cell was given the name Protoplasm by J.E.Purkinje ( 1837 ).
  • Hugo Von Mohl ( 1846 ) stated the protoplasm as a clear , homogeneous , gelatinous substances. He also emphasized the importance of protoplasm in cell division.
  • Schultz ( 1861 ) established the similarity between the protoplasm of plants and animal. On the basis of this similarity he formulates the Protoplasm Theory  .
    • Protoplasm Theory : According to protoplasm theory, “The bodies of all living beings are composed of units made up of protoplasm. Cell consists of an essentially living ground substances having nucleus with limiting cell membrane.”
  • Huxley ( 1868 ) told that Protoplasm is the physical basis of life.

Physical Nature of Protoplasm

  • Under an ordinary microscope, protoplasm seems to be a clear homogeneous fluid , called hyaloplasm or kinoplasm or cytoplasm.
  • Protoplasm is a complex, semiliquid, semitransparent, gel like, globular and granular like substances, which consists 75 – 90 % water in it.
  • It becomes inactive when water percentages decreases and coagulates at high temperature.
  • Organic substances like protein, lipids etc. dissolve in water and form multi-phased colloidal systems.
Gel & Sol of Protoplasm
  • Protoplasm is found in a homogenous colloidal solution , which occur in two phases – Gel and Sol.Its colloidal structure was suggested by Fisher in 1894 and Hardy in 1899.
    • It consists of high water contents containing various solutes such as glucose, fatty acids, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, hormones and enzymes.
    • Gel : Gel is a semi-solid stage. Due to the presence of opposite charge on the particles in Gel stage, they joints with each other by which it becomes dence.
    • Sol : Sol is a liquid stage. Due to the presence of uniform charge on the particles in Sol Stage, they keep colliding with each other while moving in different directions. This movement is known as Brownian movement.
    • Normally protoplasm is occurred in Sol Stage.
    • Both Gel & Sol stages exchanges in their stages , depends on the changes in circumstances.

Theories Related to Physical Appearance of Protoplasm

The following theories are proposed by scientists to describe the appearance of protoplasm –

1.  Granular Theory 

This theory is suggested by Altmann in 1893. According to this theory , protoplasm consists of numerous tiny granules , distributed in a homogenous medium.

2. Fibrillar Theory  

This theory is given by Flemming. According to this theory, protoplasm consists of fibres embedded in the inner mass of matrix. The fibrillae are called mitome or Spongioplasm formed of proteins, called as  micelles. The ground substances is termed as paramitome or hyaloplasm.

Nature of Protoplasm - ( A ) Granular ( B ) Fibrillar ( C ) Reticular ( D ) Alveolar

3. Reticular Theory 

This theory was postulated by Klein, Cornoy. This theory suggests that protoplasm consists of a network or reticulum of fibres in its hyaloplasm. But now electron microscope revels that these fibres are actually long chains of amino acids.

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4. Alveolar Theory 

This is suggested by Butchlli in 1892. According to this, protoplasm consists of many suspended droplets or alveoli or minute bubbles, resembling the foams of emulsion.

Physical Properties of Protoplasm

  • Protoplasm is a colorless, jelly – like, semi – liquid, sticky, clear and granular substances.
  • It is insoluble in water and aqueous solutions.
  • Tendency of protoplasm is hydrophilic,  means it absorbs highest amount of water in it.
  • It shows elasticity, means it can expands up to 25 times from its normal size.
  • It has the tendency to interchange between Gel And Sol stage.
  • It shows excitability nature. The protoplasm shows response to external stimuli such as heat, electric shock, chemicals etc.
  • It is a colloidal solution , which shows Brownian movement.
  • It shows Tyndall Phenomenon effect, means when a beam of light is thrown on the protoplasm ,it gets scattered into its particles due to collision.
  • Protoplasm shows various types of viscosity.
  • Protoplasm shows streaming movement in the cell such as cyclosis and rotation.

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