Cytoplasma: What is, function and structure

The cytoplasm is the Internal medium of cells. It is not an organelle like the other parts that make up the cell, but it is a aqueous half. It is found both in prokaryotic cells, that is, without a delimited core, and in eukaryotic cells of true nucleus. It is between the plasma membrane and the nucleus in the eukaryotic cells. In prokaryotic cells the cytoplasm covers all cell content.

• The cytoplasm is liquid consistency, so it has no shape. This liquid consistency is described as a colloidal solution or dispersion, which means that it contains dispersed particles in it. These particles are sugars, mineral salts with ions, lipids, amino acids to form proteins, nucleotides, vitamins and transfer RNA. It is formed by 70% by water, and the rest is formed by the aforementioned biomolecules.
• The cytoplasm is found delimited by the inner face of the cell membraneand it is shared in what we call organelles. Each of these cellular organelles has particular characteristics and own functions.
• The cytoplasm of eukaryot cells is different from prokaryotic cell cytoplasmto be observed in the structure. In eukaryotic cells the cytoplasm is between the cell membrane and between the nuclear membrane. On the contrary, in prokaryotic cells it is inside the cell membrane, this due to the absence of core.
• Another important difference is that in prokaryotic cells almost all Metabolic reactions happen in the cytoplasmwhile in eukaryotes some happen in the cytoplasm but others happen in the organelles.
• The prokaryotic cells of eukaryotes are also different from the organelles that are immersed within the cytoplasm. In the prokaryotic cell is the nucleoid, plasmids, ribosomes, inclusion bodies, tilacoids in photosynthetic organisms, and organelles accessories. In eukaryotic cells, the present organs arranged in the cytoplasm are the nucleus, the ribosomes, the mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, peroxisomes and accessory extensions.

• The main function of cytoplasm is contain cell organellesgiving them support. Thanks to the cytoplasm, the organelles do not float but are subject and contained in their place.
• In this cytoplasm, much of the Cellular metabolic processes and biochemical processes indispensable for the life of organisms, such as glycolysis. This is how the cytoplasm plays a role in cell transport, where the components formed within the organelles are transported.
• In addition, cytoplasm serves as means of transport For all products that are manufactured inside the cell. Since they have to move from one place to another, it is the cytoplasm that fulfills this function.
• It also serves to Organize cell divisionespecially thanks to the cytoskeleton that orders the organelles during the formation of a new cell. You may be interested in this article about the phases of the cell cycle.
• Other important processes that occur within the cytoplasm are the cellular breathing, cell signaling and protein synthesis. We explain cell breathing: what is, stages and types.

The cytoplasm consists of two main components that are the following:

• Cytoplasmic matrix, cytosol or hyaloplasma: It is the colloidal solution composed of the liquid and the dispersed particles. Among them we have the aforementioned biomolecules, and cytoplasmic inclusions, which are dispersed and inert inconstant structures that serve as food reserves, such as cellular excretion products, or even pigments. It is formed by 70% by water.
• Cytoskeleton: It is a network of filaments formed by proteins that subject to organelles. If they did not exist, these cell components would float inside the cell without order or support. Now, cells are not always motionless, but organelles, chromosomes and cell content usually move. This is achieved thanks to the flexibility of the cytoskeleton that allows such movements. There are differences between prokaryotic cytoskeleton and eukaryothal. The eukaryotic is formed by microtubules made by tubulin, microfilaments of myosin and actin, and intermediate filaments formed by several proteins. On the contrary, prokaryotic cytoskeleton is made up of classified proteins and called Mreb and Parm, Waca, Crescentina and FTSZ proteins. The functioning of prokaryotic and eukaryot proteins are analogous between them, fulfilling the same support and movement purposes.

In addition, we can differentiate cytoplasm in two different regions according to the area. Thus we have:

• Ectoplasma or plasmagel: It is the region closest to the internal nuclear membrane, that is, it is the outermost part of the cytoplasm. It has a dense consistency similar to a gel. He is rich in filaments that give him such consistency. It serves to give more support to the ends of the cell.
• Endoplasma: It is the most internal part of the cytoplasma, where the organelles are. It has a more liquid consistency in relation to ectoplasm.

While cytoplasm and cytosol terms sound quite similar, they are two different things. Cytosol is the aqueous solution with scattered elements, and is part of the cytoplasm. This means that Cytosol is one of the many components of cytoplasm. On the contrary, the cytoplasm is the cytosol set along with the cytoskeleton.

Now that you know what cytoplasm is, do not miss this article on the difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell.

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