Question

The total substance of a living cell is known as
A. Cytoplasm
B. Nucleoplasm
C. Protoplasm
D. All of the above

Answer 1

It is the entire substance contained within a cell enclosed by the plasma membrane excluding the nucleus, which is called the cytoplasm and within the nucleus, called the nucleoplasm.

Complete answer:
A living cell consists of primarily a cell membrane, enclosing within in it multiple organelles and the nucleus which perform various functions to maintain life, such as produce energy, replicate, absorb nutrients and excrete wastes. All biological material enclosed by the plasma membrane or the cell wall in the case of a plant cell can be called the protoplasm. Protoplasm emerges from the Greek word “protos”, meaning first and plasma means “things formed”. The protoplasm is only used in the case of eukaryotic cells and in prokaryotes, it is termed simply as cytoplasm and or periplasm. The composition of the protoplasm is generally a mixture of amino acids, proteins, lipids, glycolipids, polysaccharides, etc. The protoplasm includes the cytoplasm and the nucleus. The cytoplasm is the portion within the cell excluding the nucleus. It is a region where all other organelles are present and thus, a majority of the physio-biochemical functions take place. The nucleus is a region where chromosomes are present and replication occurs.

Therefore, the correct answer is option C.

Note: Cell is the structural and function unit of life. It was first discovered by Robert Hooke in the year 1665. The cell theory consists of the following postulates;
a) A new cell arises from preexisting cells.
b) All living organisms are composed of one or more cells.