Protoplasm

Abstract

BROADLY speaking, there are in the field to-day three views of the constitution of protoplasm. While all are agreed that protoplasm is essentially a colloidal system, these views differ as to the kind of colloidal system which constitutes the living substance. According to one opinion, protoplasm is a liquid with a low viscosity and the general properties of a suspensoid or lyphobe system; according to another view, protoplasm is much more viscous and possesses rather the properties of a multiphase emulsoid or lyophile colloidal system; while the third view lays emphasis on its elastic properties which bring it rather into the category of gels. The chief exponents of the first two views, Profs. Heilbrunn and Lepeschkin, have already published books dealing with protoplasm and expounding their particular points of view. With the publication of a work on protoplasm by Prof. Seifriz, we have now a reasoned account of the subject by the chief exponent of the third view, which may be summed up in the words of the author: “Though often fluid, and though superficially an emulsion, protoplasm is primarily and fundamentally a lyophilic colloidal system, that is to say, a jelly”.

Protoplasm

By Prof. William Seifriz. (McGraw-Hill Publications in the Agricultural and Botanical Sciences.) Pp. x + 584. (New York and London: McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., 1936.) 36s.