The Energy of the Living Protoplasnv 



BY 



Dr. Oscar Loew, 



Professor of Agricultural Chemistry. 



CHAPTER V. 



The Formation of Proteids in Plant-cells. 



The formation of albuminous matter in plant-cells is cer- 

 tainly one of the most important processes in the domain of 

 general physiology, as it is upon this process that depends the 

 growth of protoplasm, the multiplication of cells, the develop- 

 ment of plants ; upon plant-life again subsists all animal life. 

 This remarkable synthesis takes place in fungi just as well as in 

 chlorophyllaceous plants ; but while the latter use principally 

 the carbohydrates as sources of carbon, the former make use 

 of a variety of organic compounds. We consider first : 



The Formation of Protein in Microbes and Mould-fungi. 



Among all the fungi the microbes are especially remarkable 

 for the intensity of their chemical activity. Oxidations and 

 decompositions take place on an extensive scale. Numerous 

 organic combinations are easily split and, under atomic migra- 

 tions, substances of a more solid structure are formed : the 

 products of fermentative actions. And amid this destructive 

 activity there is built up in the interior of the cells the most labil 

 of all combinations, the active albumin, which is organised into 

 living protoplasm. And this is done under favorable conditions 

 with such rapidity that one cell yields by multiplication in 24 

 hours more than one trillion of new cells. What an energetic 

 synthesis of protein-matter, of preparation of living protoplasm, 

 of living cells ! The destructive operations are necessary to 

 carry on the synthetical work, furnishing not only energy but 

 also the required atomic groups; and consisting either in oxida- 



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