The Energy of the Living Protoplasm- 
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- 
