Cytoplasm vs. Protoplasm
Main DifferenceCell is the smallest structural and functional unit of a living body, it is generally microscopic. A cell in an organism body, mainly comprises of nucleus enclosed in a membrane and of cytoplasm. The confusion begins for the learner as cytoplasm is often refereed as protoplasm. Many think that they are differ due to their existence in plant and animal cell, but that is not as cytoplasm is one of the part of protoplasm of a cell. It should be kept in notice that, protoplasm is composed up of three parts; nucleus, cytoplasm and cell membrane. So with this one can know that protoplasm is one of the most important part of cell and it comprises the membrane and cytoplasm. Protoplasm is derived from the combination of two Greek words ‘Protos’ and ‘Plasma’, which means ‘first’ and ‘things formed’ respectively.

Difference Between Cytoplasm and Protoplasm
Cytoplasm vs. Protoplasm
Cytoplasm is one of the part of protoplasm of a cell.
Cytoplasm vs. Protoplasm
Protoplasm is one of the most important part of cell and it comprises of the membrane and cytoplasm.
Cytoplasm vs. Protoplasm
Protoplasm is derived from the combination of two Greek words ‘Protos’ and ‘Plasma’, which means ‘first’ and ‘things formed’ respectively, whereas the term cytoplasm was introduced by Rudolf von Kölliker in 1863 as a synonym of protoplasm.
Cytoplasm vs. Protoplasm
The cytoplasm is a homogeneous colloidal liquid, which doesn't have nucleus, whereas protoplasm is the translucent, viscid and watery substance with a jelly-like structure consists of cytoplasm, and plasma membrane along with nucleus.
Cytoplasmnoun
(cytology) The contents of a cell except for the nucleus. It includes cytosol, organelles, vesicles, and the cytoskeleton.
Protoplasmnoun
(cytology) The entire contents of a cell comprising the nucleus and the cytoplasm. It is a semi-fluid, transparent substance which is the living matter of plant and animal cells.
Cytoplasmnoun
the protoplasm of a cell excluding the nucleus
Protoplasmnoun
the living substance of a cell (including cytoplasm and nucleus)
Comparison Chart
Cytoplasm | Protoplasm |
The cytoplasm is a homogeneous colloidal liquid. | Protoplasm is the translucent, viscid and watery substance with a jelly-like structure |
Nucleus | |
It comprises of organelles, cytosol, and food reserves but lacks nucleus. | Protoplasm is mainly composed up of three parts; nucleus, cytoplasm and cell membrane |
Derived & Meaning | |
Protoplasm is derived from the combination of two Greek words ‘Protos’ and ‘Plasma’, which means ‘first’ and ‘things formed’ respectively. | The term cytoplasm was introduced by Rudolf von Kölliker in 1863 as a synonym of protoplasm. |
What is Cytoplasm?
Cytoplasm is one of the most important parts of a cell along with the cell membrane. It is the cell substance or organelle outside the nucleus it is present between the cell membrane and the nucleus. Cytoplasm is present within the protoplasm, which refers to the collection of cell membrane, nucleus and cytoplasm. The cytoplasm is a homogenous colloidal liquid, which consists of organelles, cytosol, and food reserves. The cytosol of the cytoplasm largely consist of water, salts, proteins and other organic molecules. On the other hand, organelles of the cytoplasm are Mitochondria, Golgi body, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosome etc, they perform various functions. Mitochondria is held responsible for the cellular respiration, while ribosome act as the sites of protein synthesis. Other than this the other important functions cytoplasm performs are cell division and glycolysis.
What is Protoplasm?
Protoplasm is the translucent, viscid and watery substance with a jelly-like structure. The appearance of this important structure mainly depends upon the amount of water it contains. Physically it can be a gel like structure or a more watery substance, which may feel like a liquid. Protoplasm is derived from the combination of two Greek words ‘Protos’ and ‘Plasma’, which means ‘first’ and ‘things formed’ respectively. Protoplasm is mainly composed up of three parts; nucleus, cytoplasm and cell membrane, therefore keeping in view its importance the English biologist Thomas Huxley referred it as the “physical basis of life”. Depending on the cell type, the composition of protoplasm varies, generally it is sum up of 70 to 90 percent of water. The other mixture comprises of amino acids, monosaccharides, nucletic acids, lipids polysaccharide and others.