Chapter Two 



Colloids and Life 



No INQUIRY into the constitution of living 

 matter can proceed far without taking account 

 of the outstanding fact that protoplasm resembles a 

 colloid. It is generally asserted that protoplasm is 

 colloidal in character, and indeed the organism as a 

 whole is described as a complex unit colloid system. 

 Thus the colloid chemist, Wolfgang Ostwald, says: 

 "Organisms are merely special instances of colloid 

 systems." 



A comparison of the lowest life-forms, bacteria, 

 with colloids is interesting. Unquestionably bacteria 

 show the fundamental characteristics of organisms; 

 viz., the synthesizing of their own specific material, 

 and reproduction. 



As to the close resemblance between colloids and 

 bacteria, we find the following facts: 



Characteristics of Characteristics of 



Colloids are: Bacteria are: 



(a) Brownian movement; Active movement. 

 (6) Electric conduction; The same. Have enor- 

 i.e., they show charges mous energy, 

 and wander to poles; 



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