Cytoplasm

Physio-Chemical Nature of Cytoplasm

The living content of the protoplasm between the plasma membrane and nucleus is called cytoplasm. Living content of eukaryotes is divided into nucleus and cytoplasm. These living contents (nucleus and cytoplasm) collectively forms protoplasm. The cytoplasm has four components:

Cytomembrane System

It consists of well-defined structures, such as endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, plastids, Golgi apparatus, vacuoles and vesicles. Cytomembrane system is composed of biological membranes. These membranes consist of double layer of phospholipids. Cytomembrane system divides the cell into different compartments. It increases the surface area of cytoplasm. The compartments of cytomembrane system directly involved in most of the metabolic reaction. Each compartment has different

Cytoskeleton

Cytoplasm also complex network of cytoskeleton. It is present in the form of network of fibrous proteins. Cytoskeleton is composed of microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate filaments. Microtubules are long, unbranched and slender structure. They are composed of protein tubulin. Microfilaments are comparatively more contractile protein actin. Intermediate filaments have diameter in between microtubules and microfilaments.

Granular Structure

Cytoplasm also contains a large number of granular structures. Ribosomes are also granular structures present in cytoplasm. They are involved in protein synthesis. It also contains insoluble inclusions like insoluble waste and storage products.

Cytosol

The soluble part of the cytoplasm is called cytosol. It is viscous material. It is less visible in light. It forms the ground substances of the cytoplasm. Chemically, it has about 90% water. It contains all fundamental molecules of the cells. These molecules are proteins, glucose, amino acids, salts, etc. These molecules are present in two forms:

True Solution: The small molecules and ions form true solution. The molecules present in the form of true solution are glucose, some amino acids, soluble salts, ions etc.

Colloidal Solution: Some large molecules form colloidal solution. Colloidal solution is present in two forms:

Sol: Non-viscous colloidal solution is called sol. It is present in liquid form.

Gel: The viscous colloidal solution is called gel. It is present in the form of semi-solid. The peripheral part of cell is often like a gel.

Physical Properties of Cytoplasm

Cytoplasm has unique physical properties. Cytoplasm is mixture of sol and gel component. It can flow like a sol. But gel offers resistance in its flow. The cytosol is gel like near outer membrane. But it is non-viscous or sol like in the interior end. Cytoplasm shows streaming and cyclic movements due to this property. Cytoplasm has almost neutral PH. Most of the salts are present in ionic form in cytoplasm.

Functions of Cytoplasm

Cytoplasm performs following functions:

• 1. It acts as storage house. Most of important compounds like starch are stored in the cytoplasm.
• 2. Some metabolism processes like glycolysis (breaking of glucose) take place in the cytoplasm.
• 3. The cytoplasm contains several cell organelles like mitochondria, Golgi bodies, endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes etc.     These cell organelles perform many important functions of the cells.
• 4. Cytoplasm shows streaming movements. Streaming movement is an active mass movement of cytoplasm. Many free-floating organelles like mitochondria move in the cytoplasm due to these streaming movements.
• 5. The cytoskeleton of cytoplasm gives support to cell. It also helps in internal cell movement.