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31TEET-810 • 136 them is an independent, functional unit, and the processes of the body are the sum of the co-ordinated functions of its cells. These cellular units vary considerably in size, shape and function. Some of the smallest animals have bodies made of a single cell; others such as, a man or an Oak tree are made of countless billions of cells fitted together.53
“The major types of organic substances found in protoplasm are carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and steroids."54 Some of these are required for the structural integrity of the cell, others to supply energy for its functioning and still others are of prime importance in regulating metabolism within the cell.”55
“Carbohydrates and fats (lipids) have only a small role in the structure of protoplasm but are important as sources of fuel; Carbohydrates are readily available fuel, fats are more permanently stored supplies of energy. Nucleic acids have a primary role in storing and transmitting information. Proteins are structural and functional constituents of protoplasm, but may serve as fuel after deanimation. The body can convert each of these substances into others to some extent. Protoplasm in a colloidal system, with protein molecules and water forming the two phases, and many of the properties of protoplasm-muscle contraction, ameboid motion, and so on-depend on the repaid change from sol (liquid condition) to gel (solid or semi-solid) state and back.”56
Foot-notes 1. Bhagavati Sūtra, 20, 2. 665. 2. Bhagavati Sūtra, 33. I. 844; Uttarādhyayana Sutra, 155; Tattvārtha Sūtra,
II. 24. 3. Bhagavati Sūtra, 22. 1. 692. 4. Ibid., 23. 4. 693. 5. Tattvārtha Sutra, II. 24. 6. Bhagavati Sūtra, 2.10.118 7. Biology, p. 16, Ville, c. 4.
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