What is Cytoplasm

What is Cytoplasm?

Cytoplasm is the main arena of various activities of a cell. It is the semifluid gelatinous substance that fills the cell.  It is made up of eighty percent water and is usually clear and colourless. 

 Cytoplasm is a Jelly like semifluid general mass of protoplasm excluding the nucleus but including all other components: cytoplasmic matrix ,cell organelles and cell inclusions

 It consists of dissolved nutrients, numerous salts and acids to dissolve waste products. 

The cytoplasm is the gel-like substance filling the space between the cell membrane and the nucleus in eukaryotic cells.

 It acts as the venue for critical cellular functions, housing organelles and molecules that collaborate to keep the cell alive.

The plasma membrane is followed by the colloidal organic fluid called matrix or cytosol. 

The cytosol is the aqueous portion of the cytoplasm (the extranuclear protoplasm) and of the nucleoplasm (the nuclear protoplasm). It fills all the spaces of the cell and constitutes its true internal milieu. 

Cytosol is particularly rich in differentiating cells and many fundamental properties of cell are because of this part of the cytoplasm.

Cytoplasm Diagram

Structure of Cytoplasm

The cytoplasm is a complex and dynamic part of the cell, composed of this element.

1. Cytosol:

Cytosol is the clear fluid part of cytoplasm which can exist in 2 states Sol and gel, and they called as plasma sol and plasma gel. The fluid portion of the cytoplasm, primarily made of water salts, and organic molecules. It provides the medium for biochemical reactions and supports organelle activity

b) Cytoplasmic organelles.

Mitochondria: Generate energy for the cell.

The mitochondria are filamentous or granular cytoplasmic organelles of all aerobic cells of higher animals and plants and also of certain micro-organisms including Algae, Protozoa and Fungi. These are absent in bacterial cells. The mitochondria have lipoprotein framework which contains many enzymes and coenzymes required for energy metabolism. They also contain a specific DNA for the cytoplasmic inheritance and ribosomes for the protein synthesis.

Golgi Apparatus: Packages and distributes molecules.

It is a cup-shaped organelle which is located near the nucleus in many types of cells. Golgi apparatus consists of a set of smooth cisternae (i.e., closed fluid-filled flattened membranous sacs or vesicles) which often are stacked together in parallel rows. It is surrounded by spherical membrane bound vesicles which appear to transport proteins to and from it.

Endoplasmic Reticulum: Manufactures proteins and lipids.

Within the cytoplasm of most animal cells is an extensive network (reticulum) of membrane-limited channels, collectively called endoplasmic reticulum (or ER). Some portion of ER membranes remains continuous with the plasma membrane and the nuclear envelope. The outer surface of rough ER has attached ribosomes, whereas smooth ER do not have attached ribosomes.

Ribosomes: Produce proteins.

The ribosomes are small, dense, rounded and granular particles of the ribonucleoprotein. They occur either freely in the matrix of mitochondria, chloroplast and cytoplasm (i.e., cytoplasmic matrix) or remain attached with the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum and nucleus. They occur in most prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and are known to provide a scaffold for the ordered interaction of all the molecules involved in protein synthesis.

Lysosomes and Peroxisomes: Break down waste and detoxify harmful substances.

The cytoplasm of animal cells contains many tiny, spheroid or irregular-shaped membrane-bounded vesicles known as lysosomes The lysosomes are originated from Golgi apparatus and contain numerous (about 50) hydrolytic enzymes (e.g., acid phosphatase that is cytochemical identified) for intracellular and extracellular digestion.

Cytoskeleton: Maintains cell shape and assists in intracellular movement

The ability of eukaryotic cells to adopt a variety of shapes and to carry out coordinated and directed movements depends on the cytoskeleton. The cytoskeleton extends throughout the cytoplasm and is a complex network of three types of protein filaments microtubules, microfilaments (or actin filaments) and intermediate filaments (IFS).

Functions of Cytoplasm

The cytoplasm plays an important role in the survival and functionality of the cell are following:

1. cytoplasm maintains the shape of the cell and its help in holding cell organelles in their place.
2. Cytoplasm is also known for site for biochemical reactions as energy produced in the cytoplasm by the process of glycolysis
3. Cytoplasm helps in the movement of materials such as nutrients, ions, and waste products throughout the cell.
4. Cytoplasm also helps in storing the substances like glycogen and lipids, which the cell uses when needed.
5. It acts as a conduct for transmitting signals within the cell, ensuring communication between organelles.

Protoplasm:

The protoplasm is alive because of the highly complex organization of these non-living substances and the way they interact with one another.

The term protoplasm refers to the living substance within the cell, encompassing both the cytoplasm and the nucleus. While the cytoplasm handles metabolic activities and interaction with organelles, the nucleus focuses on storing and processing genetic information. Together, they represent the core of cellular life.

Composition of Protoplasm:

The protoplasm consists of water, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.

Role of Protoplasm:

It serves as the site for all life-sustaining activities, from energy production to cell repair and growth.