CYTOCHEMISTRY OF PROTOPLASM -

• It is supper mixture or mixture of mixtures.
• 34 elements present in it.
• 13 elements are universal. e.g. C, H, O, N, P, K, S, Cl, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, I
• O is maximum i.e. 62%
• C, Mg, & K are balancing elements
• In comparison to ECF Na concentration is more on outer & K is more in cell.
• All elements are classified in 3 groups-

(i) Macro elements - C, H, O, N         95%

(ii) Micro elements - 4.24%, Ca is maximum, Fe is minimum

(iii) Trace elements - 0.76 %, B is maximum, Ni is minimum, These are must for activity of enzymes.

• In protoplasm all elements are grouped in two parts -
• Inorganic 81% (H O 80%, Mineral, gases 1%)
• Organic  19% ( Protein 14%, Lipid 3%, Carbohydrate 1%, Enzyme, Vitamin, Hormones, Nucleic acid 1%)