Science

What is the difference between protoplasm and cytoplasm?

2 answer(s)
Answer # 1 #

Great explanation above! To add a visual, imagine a cell as a factory. The protoplasm would be the entire living workforce and machinery inside the factory walls. The cytoplasm would be the main factory floor where most of the work (like production in the organelles) happens, while the nucleus is the boss's office (containing the blueprints/DNA) that's also inside the factory. So the cytoplasm is a major part of the protoplasm, but not all of it.

[Few Hour]
(0)
Answer # 2 #

This is a classic biology question! Here's the simple breakdown:

  • Protoplasm is the living content of a cell. It's an older, more general term that includes everything inside the cell membrane—the cytoplasm AND the nucleus.
  • Cytoplasm is specifically the gel-like substance inside the cell membrane but outside the nucleus. It contains the cytosol (the liquid), organelles (like mitochondria, ribosomes), and various inclusions.

So, think of it like this: Protoplasm = Cytoplasm + Nucleus. The term "protoplasm" isn't used as much in modern cell biology because we now know the nucleus has a very different function from the cytoplasm. We tend to use the more specific terms now.

[Few Hour]
(0)

Related Questions