How Does Protoplasm Composition Vary in Plant and Animal Cells?

The protoplasm forms the living substance of both plant and animal cells, but its composition and structure vary according to the cell’s function.

1. Water Content: Both plant and animal protoplasm contain about 70–90% water, but in plant cells, water content is often higher due to the large central vacuole that maintains turgidity. Animal cells usually have less water because they lack such vacuoles.

2. Organic Components: Both have carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, but the type and amount differ.

• In plant cells, carbohydrates mainly exist as starch and cellulose (used for storage and structure).
• In animal cells, carbohydrates are stored as glycogen and are more readily used for energy.

3. Inorganic Components: Both contain minerals like calcium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphate, though plants absorb them directly from the soil, while animals obtain them through diet.

4. Organelles: Plant protoplasm contains chloroplasts for photosynthesis and a rigid cell wall made of cellulose, while animal cells lack these but have centrioles and lysosomes for cell division and digestion.

Thus, while the basic chemical composition of protoplasm is similar in both, the proportion and specialization of components differ according to each organism’s needs.