If our definition of life seemed obscure, this sounds like a paradox; but perhaps the following fact may help to explain it: Under certain conditions some of the simpler compounds behave in a somewhat similar way. For instance, there is one which is so greedy of oxygen that it grabs it from whatever will readily give it up, and in order to do so is obliged to relinquish that which it has already got in its molecule to make room for that freshly acquired. Protoplasm is always behaving in this sort of way as long as it is protected from extremes of heat and cold, and from active chemicals which split up its molecules to form fresh compounds. Then it dies, or ceases to be protoplasm.
But the importance of this constant change lies in the fact that by continually breaking down its own molecules protoplasm obtains the energy to rebuild them out of non-living compounds of high potential energy, to modify its environment, and, in fact, to do the work of life.
It was said above that protoplasm only continued to exist in the form of a cell; therefore, what is a cell, and why its necessity?
We have seen that protoplasm has a very complicated structure, and that its normal condition is one of change. This being so, it obviously cannot exist in large masses, for if it did the change would be sure to be uneven in different parts from its very complexity; and the centre of the lump would either be starved or poisoned by the products of its own life. To avoid this, the mass is divided up into a vast number of small units each complete in itself, in communication more or less direct with its neighbours, and all equally accessible to fluids which both feed and cleanse them.
But there is another and still more important reason for such a division. The protoplasm is constantly discharging decomposition products, and needs to be repairing its waste by building in fresh compounds. The raw material around it requires dressing before it can be of use, and the building in is a difficult business. In each cell there is, therefore, a place set apart, where the protoplasm has peculiar capabilities, and it is here that this elaboration is carried out. This spot is called the nucleus.
