We analyse the residuals to the fundamental plane (FP) of elliptical galaxies as a function of stellar-population indicators; these are based on the line-strength parameter Mg2 and on UBVRI broad-band colors, and are partly derived from new observations. The effect of the stellar populations accounts for approximately half the observed variation of the mass-to-light ratio responsible for the FP tilt. The residual tilt can be explained by the contribution of two additional effects: the dependence of the rotational support, and possibly that of the spatial structure, on the luminosity. We conclude to a constancy of the dynamical-to-stellar mass ratio. This probably extends to globular clusters as well, but the dominant factor would be here the luminosity dependence of the structure rather than that of the stellar population. This result also implies a constancy of the fraction of dark matter over all the scalelength covered by stellar systems. Our compilation of internal stellar kinematics of galaxies is appended.