

Conclusion. 



The c^rractness of the above hypothesis 

 depends in n. ln.rge measure on wh eth 3r we were 

 justified in -ai^Jcing the assumption that the 

 fundamental, life processes ar 3 inherent in the 

 molecular structure of the proteins, and are net 

 primarily dep3ndent on any specific physical 

 heterogeneity. This assumption is clearly cr^n- 

 trary to orthodox theories which attribute just 

 as much importance to the physical heterogeneity 

 of protoplasm as to the chemical comstitution 

 thereof, but the failure of orthodox theories 

 tc account for and explain th 3 fundamental life 

 processes should be sufficient justification for 

 attempting the solution of the problem on a 

 new bas^. 



The molecular structure of proteins v^ill 

 probably never be established conclusively by 

 chemical analysis n2one. It is, in fact, doubt- 

 ful whether protein molecules are of uniform size 

 and composition. According to the foregoing 

 hypothesis protein m.oleculos, when dissolved in 

 water or dilute salt solution probably consist of 

 platelets of irregular form and size which have 

 become separated from a cluster of hexagonal com- 

 partments. The methods of analytical chemistry 

 can tell us only what the fragr^ients of protein 

 structure are and what the elementary composition 

 thereof is, In order to find out how these frag- 

 ments were joined togethsr we miust take into 

 consideration the principles of biology, although 

 after a certain scheme has been suggested, we 

 may determin3 the probable correctness th3reof 

 by comparing the elementary composition of such 

 hypothstical structure with that found experi- 

 mentally. 



