CHAPTER V 



CHEMICAL PHENOMENA IN CYTOPLASM 

 AND NUCLEUS OF LIVING CELLS 



r I ^HE main body of protoplasm, which is 

 JL surrounded by the hyalin layer of the 

 superficial cell plasma, generally contains finely- 

 granulated, slimy masses of a yellowish grey hue, 

 whence it is named Polioplasm. The appearance 

 of polioplasm is very different according to the age 

 and the stage of life of the cells. Quite young cells 

 are found equally filled with homogeneous polio- 

 plasm. In the midst of this protoplasmatic mass 

 one perceives a spherical body of more solid condi- 

 tion which refracts light strongly : the Nucleus of 

 the cell. In the course of growth the polioplasm 

 soon produces drops of liquid contents in greater 

 or smaller number. These drops increase in size, 

 and the polioplasm between them changes into 

 thin lamellae separating the contiguous cavities. 

 The polioplasma gains the character of foam. 

 The cavities between the meshes of tough colloid 

 mass are generally known as vacuoles. The further 

 development shows the conflux of several neigh- 

 bour vacuoles to one of larger size. The meshes of 

 54 



