What is Cytoplasm and How Does it Work

What is Cytoplasm Cytoplasm is defined as the material that lies within the cytoplasmic membrane, or the membrane that surrounds a cell. It contains none of a cell's genetic material, because this is contained in the nucleus. It does, however, contain a lot of water, and the other organelles of the cells. It provides a platform upon which they can operate within the cell. It is made up of proteins, vitamins, ions, nucleic acids, amino acids, sugars, carbohydrates and fatty acids. All of the functions for cell expansion, growth and replication are carried out in the cytoplasm of a cell.

Functions of Cytoplasm Cytoplasm has three basic functions within the cells of living organisms. Made of three basic components, cytoplasm is a medium of suspension for the organelles in the cell. The function of cytoplasm is also a means of transport for genetic material and the products of cellular respiration. As cytoplasm is a fluid, it acts as a buffer, protecting the cell's genetic material and organelles from damage due to movement or collision with other cells. The three main parts of cytoplasm are cytosol, the organelles and cytoplasmic inclusions. Cytosol is the liquid that suspends the organelles; it is mainly water with some protein strands that help support the organelles. Organelles are specialized parts of the cell, each having its own function; major functions of the organelles include cellular respiration, creation of new proteins and destruction of waste material. Finally, cytoplasmic inclusions are non-soluble molecules floating within the cytoplasm; in many cells, these inclusions are stored fats and sugars ready for cellular respiration. Cytoplasm's primary function is to act as a medium of suspension for a cell's organelles, keeping a cell's inner structure intact. As organelles are not neutrally buoyant in cytoplasm due to the changing concentrations of solutes, the protein strands described in the previous paragraph are necessary to keep organelles in place. The cytoplasm and proteins prevent gravity from grouping the organelles near the bottom of the cell, an event that would greatly impede their function.

Image of Cytoplasm

Cytoplasm is the fluid that fills a cell Cytoplasm is the fluid that fills a cell. Scientists used to call the fluid protoplasm. Early on, they didn't know about the many different types of fluids in the cell. There is special fluid in the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and nucleus. The only two 'plasms' left are cytoplasm (the fluid in the cell also called cytosol) and nucleoplasm (the fluid in the nucleus). Each of those fluids has a very different composition. The cell organelles are suspended in the cytosol. You will learn that the microfilaments and microtubules set up a "skeleton" of the cell and the cytosol fills the spaces. The cytoplasm has many different molecules dissolved in solution. You'll find enzymes, fatty acids, sugars, and amino acids that are used to keep the cell working. Waste products are also dissolved before they are taken in by vacuoles or sent out of the cell. Special Fluids in the Nucleus Nucleoplasm has a little different composition. Nucleoplasm can only be found inside of the nucleus. It doesn't have big organelles in suspension. The nucleoplasm is the suspension fluid that holds the cell's chromatin and nucleolus. It is not always present in the nucleus. When the cell divides, the nuclear membrane dissolves and the nucleoplasm is released. After the cell nucleus has reformed, the nucleoplasm fills the space again. More than Filling The cytosol in a cell does more than just suspend the organelles. It uses its dissolved enzymes to break down all of those larger molecules. The products can then be used by the organelles of the cell. Glucose may exist in the cytosol but the mitochondria can't use it for fuel. The cytosol has enzymes that break glucose down into pyruvate molecules that are then sent to the mitochondria.

Composition of Cytoplasm About 80% of the cytoplasm is H2O. During interphase the extra base pairs needed for DNA replication are found here. Sugar and phosphate are dissolved in the cytoplasm. Other substances include amino acids, nucleic acids, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids, non-organic ions, and very light molecular compounds. The liquid of the cytoplasm is called the cytosol.

Have you ever wondered what fills up your cells. Look no further Have you ever wondered what fills up your cells? Look no further... it's cytoplasm, a gooey, liquid substance that holds everything in a cell outside of the nucleus. Every cell has three parts, whether it be a blood cell, brain cell, or reproductive cell. It contains a membrane with channels to let materials into and out of a cell. It contains cytoplasm, which can be basically defined as anything in between the membrane and the nucleus of a cell. And it contains the nucleus, which is the home of a cell's chromosomes, or genetic material. Cytoplasm is defined as the material that lies within the cytoplasmic membrane, or the membrane that surrounds a cell. It contains none of a cell's genetic material, because this is contained in the nucleus. It does, however, contain a lot of water, and the other organelles of the cells. It provides a platform upon which they can operate within the cell. It is made up of proteins, vitamins, ions, nucleic acids, amino acids, sugars, carbohydrates and fatty acids. All of the functions for cell expansion, growth and replication are carried out in the cytoplasm of a cell.

The organelles inside cytoplasm are very important for the maintenance of the cell. Some of the most important organelles that cytoplasm contains are the mitochondria, proteins, ribosomes, the endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi apparatus, lysosomes and the cytoskeleton. Mitochondria are sites of energy-making, because they contain the materials necessary for ATP synthesis, or the fueling of the cell. The cytoskeleton is a network of protein fibers that give support to the cell, and help it maintain shape. The endoplasmic reticulum is the site of lipid (fat) and protein synthesis, and the Golgi apparatus is the packaging plant of a cell. Lysosomes are small sacs of digestive enzymes in the cell for eating. They are like little stomachs traveling around the cell! Proteins and ribosomes move through the cell acting as catalysts for various chemical processes. In a roundabout way, some genetic material does reach the cytoplasm. The endoplasmic reticulum is an RNA-coding area, before this information is sent to the nucleus. If a person is born with irregular cytoplasm, in most cases they do not live. Cytoplasm is so essential to the cell, it requires working order to operate and maintain life. However, some unusual cases of cytoplasmic irregularity do exist, and scientists are learning how to transplant cytoplasm into cells to help them function normally. Also, cytoplasm in animals is being examined for ways to enter the cell and penetrate nucleii with cures for certain diseases. Other uses for cytoplasm are being developed. Recently, it allowed scientists a close view of the HIV virus as it entered a cell. Cytoplasm also is used extensively in cloning, when information is transferred from the mother to the cloning host. If the cytoplasm of a reproductive egg is faulty, now new cytoplasm can be transferred into the egg to maintain reproductive power. Plant cytoplasm is used for new biotechnology experiments every day.

Cytoplasm is the jelly-like substance that fills cells Cytoplasm is the jelly-like substance that fills cells. It contains all the internal components of a cell, called organelles, except for the nucleus. Clear and composed of 80% water, the cytoplasm is the location for most of a cell's internal functions. Cytoplasm is responsible for moving materials throughout the cell and aids in cell replication. It holds of the chemicals and other materials that are necessary for the life and growth of the cell. It serves to maintain the shape and structure of the cell, and also allows the cell to move. Cytoplasm is composed of three major elements: cytosol, cytoplasmic inclusions and organelles. Cytosol is the component that is most responsible for the structure of the cell. Composed of water, salt and organic molecules, cytosol is everything not contained within organelles. The cytosol makes up most of the cytoplasm and contains the filaments that form the cytoskeleton, which is what forms the shape of the cell and allows it to move. Another major function of the cytosol is to facilitate the movement of materials throughout the cell and between organelles. Cytoplasmic inclusions are contained in the cytosol, but are considered separate entities. They are not present in all cells and vary in their content. Inclusions in the cytosol include stored nutrients, cell waste and secretory materials and pigment granules. The cytoplasm is responsible for moving nutrients to the organelles where they are used for energy. It also facilitates the removal of waste from the cell. Organelles are structures within the cell that perform a specific function. The cytoplasm serves to hold the organelles in place. Literally meaning "little organ", organelles are usually enclosed in their own lipid bilayer. There are many cell components that qualify as organelles. The two major organelles found in most eukaryotic cells are mitochondria and chloroplasts. Mitochondria supply energy to the cell and direct its growth. Chloroplasts are found in plant cells and extract energy from light sources. They also remove oxygen from carbon dioxide and water.