Cytoplasm — Structure & Function

Limerick of the Cytoplasm

There once was a lone organelle

Who lived in a cellular shell

It floated in a goop

But what is the scoop?

What is the name of that watery gel?

Well, that gel is called cytosol,

And it supports with its all

The cell's rounded shape

And organelle landscape

And I say this without any sarcasm:

That the sugars, salt, and proteins that float

In the cytoplasm, as if on a boat

Keep the cell alive

As they travel and dive

From ER, to Golgi, and to the lipid coat.

The Important Role of Cytoplasm

The cytoplasm is everything outside of the nucleus and inside of the cell membrane. It includes the membrane-bound organelles and cytosol. Cytosol is the goop that fills the inside of cells.

Cytosol is kind of like loose Jell-O. The organelles (mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, etc.) are all suspended in it. Cytosol is water-based, but it also contains salts and proteins.

Cytoplasm is found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including plant and animal cells.

What's Inside a Cell?

Cytoplasm is all the junk inside of the cell. It is contained within the plasma membrane, but it does not include the nucleus (which is kept separate by the nuclear membrane). The fluid portion of it is called cytosol and is composed of water, proteins, and glucose. Think of it as the water inside a water balloon. Molecules suspended in the cytosol are called cytoplasmic inclusions.

Cytoplasm also helps with transport of different substances throughout the cell. It also plays an important role in cell division.

$$\color{#8925AE}{\text{Vocabulary Review:}}$$

$\color{#8925AE}{\text{Cytoplasm}}$ : Everything inside the cell except the nucleus

$\color{#8925AE}{\text{Cytosol}}$ :The liquid contained within the cell membrane made of water, salt, and proteins

$\color{#8925AE}{\text{Organelles}}$ : Small, specialized structures within a cell

(Video) Cytoplasm

by learnbiologically

This video will give you a quick look into what cytoplasm is, what's in it, and what it does.